Engaging and exchanging art: the Baroda exhibition

Art and culture go hand in hand: colours, perspectives and influences, all entwined with a purpose: to make us see or feel something we might have otherwise been deprived of.

Why not take the afternoon off and, considering the lovely weather, stroll straight to the gorgeous Gallery of DMU? There you'll have the chance to enjoy The Baroda Exhibition.  

Fine Art students and staff from DMU and Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India, were involved in its creation. 

The artists, inspired by an exchange programme, have displayed their impressive work in the exhibition. Each presented piece has its own charm and each artist stirs a different kind of feeling in the viewer.

You can read about the artists’ experiences, admire their work and perhaps develop a new-found appreciation for art (if you don’t already have one) at the Gallery. 

The exhibition is open at any time of the day during the Cultural Exchanges Festival 2019.

Valentina Verba

Germans in India: for converts and trade

Panikos Panayi's talk about the 'Germans in India' taught me something I never knew before. His focus was on German influence during the 18th and 19th centuries - and this really interested me.

Germans travelled for many reasons: some were missionaries while others were merchants or businessmen. The good relations businesses established have helped shape gloablisation today.
 
However Panikos Panayi also emphasised the role of missionaries who spread the teachings of Luther and the Lutheran church through the Basel Mission. Missionaries described their journeys throughout India as they sailed on boats to secure converts. Herman Gundert was an important figure during this time and he went back and forth to India. To do his mission he learnt the local languages such as Hindustani and Bengali.

Herman Gundert

Prof. Panayi's talk made it clear that the German presence in India was very different from the British presence. His talk has made me keen to find out more about this history and explore the different ways in which India as been affected by different European countries - and how those effects are still evident today.

E. Hussain

Bollywood tales and Alpine fantasies

As a film fan and eager to learn more about Bollywood, I made sure to leave home early so that i would arrive at Dt Monia Acciari's lecture in time. As a result I arrived half an hour early; I was the first to reach the hall and for the following minutes sat awkwardly in silence while Dr Acciari prepared for her presentation. Luckily the room soon filled up and people of varying ages occupied the seats around me. It was nice to see this event get the attention it deserved.

Dr Acciari showed clips and trailers from a range of Bollywood and independent Indian films. I've now added Jadoo, Hal Ho Naa Ho, Farz, Rockstar and Queen to the list of films I want to watch in my spare time.

It was also particularly fascinating to learn how Switzerland became a popular location in Bollywood films. Initially the film's story would be set in India but would cut to Switzerland for fantasy or daydream scenes. Eventually this expanded until long episodes or even whole films were set in Switzerland or other European countries. 

All in all, I enjoyed this event a lot!

 

 

Hayley Phythian

All singing, all dancing ... on mountains

When you think Indian movies, you probably think about the song and dance numbers. The thing you don't think about, or even take much notice of when watching one, is the landscape and scenery. 

That's true of me too - or it was until today. Today I attended a talk given by Monia Acciari on Indian cinema and European landscapes. The talk was eye-opening about where the movies are shot. The talk also was an eye opener about Indian cinema's history in Leicester. I even learnt about a few places to go and see a movie, as well as hearing about the history of Indian cinemas in Leicester. 

The talk made me want to go and re-watch Khabi Kushi Khabie Gham, but when I do I'll be looking into the filming and its locations, and considering questions of authenticity. 

Overall the talk was very enjoyable, and gave me some new recommendations for my "to watch" list. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to enjoy an old favourite.

 
Adil L.