India Week
India WeekAs part of the India Summer Days, the India Weeks Karlsruhe will take place again in 2026, serving as a platform for fostering German-Indian relations.
Through a variety of events in the fields of business and culture, the festival offers a diverse program that both showcases India’s cultural diversity and promotes dialogue between the two countries. This not only strengthens intercultural understanding but also fosters cooperation and mutual understanding in many areas.
Concert
No distance is too far
Date: 22.06.26, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Location/Directions: Stadtkirche Karlsruhe, Marktplatz
Music knows no boundaries—and on Monday, June 22, 2026, everyone will be able to hear and feel that for themselves starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Stadtkirche in Karlsruhe. The extraordinary concert “Kein Weg zu weit” is a true highlight of this year’s “India Weeks Karlsruhe.”
It is an encounter through music and dance that transcends national borders: On this evening (free admission, donations welcome), German choral tradition and Indian joie de vivre will merge into a unique work of art. You’ll experience international choral music at the very highest level when the renowned “Ulmer Spatzen Chor” takes the stage alongside the top Indian youth choir “The Singing Tree.” The latter hails from the “Mehli Mehta Music Foundation” in Mumbai, which was founded by the world-renowned conductor Zubin Mehta and has been committed to music education in India and international cultural exchange for decades.
VHS
A Journey Through the Fascinating World of Fabrics—India, Japan, Bolivia, East Africa
Date: 26.06.26, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Location: VHS Salon, Kaiserallee 12e; courtyard building
Costs: 15 €
The Fascinating World of Fabrics: India, Japan, Bolivia, East Africa
From Saris to Kimonos: Fabrics, Clothing, and Culture to See, Feel, and Discover
Fabrics are much more than mere materials. They protect, adorn, tell stories, and reflect culture, climate, craftsmanship, and identity. In this vhs salon, we’ll embark on a journey through different regions of the world and discover the special significance of fabrics, patterns, and colors. We’ll discuss traditional techniques, symbolic meanings, everyday and festive attire, and what fabrics reveal about the people and societies that produce and wear them. Indian fabrics, in particular, are an expression of an extraordinary diversity of regions, traditions, and crafts. They reflect the country’s cultural, religious, and climatic diversity and connect everyday life, festive traditions, and history in a unique way.
An evening for anyone interested in culture, aesthetics, history, and the stories behind things.
Registration: https://www.vhs-karlsruhe.de/p/699-C-262-27055
VHS
Online Language Course with Prajakta Anand Joshi
The 50 Most Important Hindi Words for Travel — For Beginners
Date: 28.06.26, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Costs: 26 €
Namaste! Your native-speaking instructor invites you to join a brief linguistic journey to India. This morning, you’ll learn the numbers and currency, as well as how to greet people in Hindi, order food, and determine whether and how much to tip. You’ll also pick up some common phrases during the session. We look forward to seeing you!
For beginners with no prior knowledge. The course will be taught in Hindi and English, with some German.
Prajakta Anand Joshi holds a Master’s degree (M.A.) in Sanskrit, has successfully passed the NET exam, and was awarded a gold medal for her achievements in the field of Vedic Studies.
Registraion: https://www.vhs-karlsruhe.de/p/699-C-262-79261
VHS
Cooking Class on Traditional Indian Cuisine with Sucharitha Vuppalapati
Date: 28.06.26, 4:30 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
Location: Kimmelmann School, Graf-Rhena-Straße 18, 76137 Karlsruhe
Costs: 79 € (including €20 for groceries)Cooking Class on Traditional Indian Cuisine: Simple Chicken Curry for Beginners
This simple chicken curry is ideal for beginners. It’s made with just a few ingredients and cooks quickly. The curry is mild, aromatic, and a hit with the whole family. It’s best served with rice or flatbread.
Roti is a traditional Indian whole-grain flatbread that has been a staple in Indian households for centuries. Roti is not only easy to make but also incredibly versatile and nutritious.
Bhagara rice is a flavorful and aromatic dish prepared with a variety of spices and sometimes containing vegetables or nuts. The dish can be enjoyed on its own or served as a side dish with your favorite Indian curries or grilled meats.
Banana Dessert is a traditional Indian sweet made with bananas, ghee, sugar, and cardamom. It is soft, slightly sticky, and has an intense, fruity-caramel flavor.
Your instructor, Vijaya Sucharitha Vuppalapati, not only teaches authentic recipes and traditional cooking techniques but also provides insights into Indian food culture and the significance of shared meals. She has been leading Indian cooking classes at the vhs since 2018 and has already inspired numerous participants with the diversity of Indian cuisine.
Registration deadline: June 25, 2026
Registration: https://www.vhs-karlsruhe.de/p/699-C-262-52102
VHS
Colours, Stories & Voices of India – An English Conversation Journey (B1+)
Date: 3.7.26, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: VHS, Kaiserallee 12e
Costs: 16 €
Indien ist so viel mehr als nur Curry, Bollywood und überfüllte Städte!
In diesem lebhaften Englisch-Konversationsworkshop nimmt eine indische Kursleiterin die Teilnehmer mit auf eine kulturelle Reise durch ihr Heimatland. In einfachem Englisch stellt sie ausgewählte Aspekte des indischen Lebens, der Kultur und des Alltags vor – von Traditionen über die moderne Gesellschaft bis hin zu Essen, sprachlicher Vielfalt oder dem Leben als junge Frau in Indien.
Im Mittelpunkt des Kurses steht das Sprechen und Verstehen der englischen Sprache in einer entspannten Atmosphäre. Die Teilnehmer werden dazu ermutigt, Fragen zu stellen, Eindrücke zu schildern und Ideen auszutauschen – alles auf Englisch!
Die Kursleiterin Smita Parkhi ist zertifizierte Fachkraft für Englisch als Zweitsprache sowie für Deutsch und verfügt über mehr als elf Jahre Unterrichtserfahrung in Indien und Deutschland. In ihrem Kurs verbindet sie das Sprachenlernen mit kulturellen Einblicken in die Vielfalt Indiens.
Registraion: https://www.vhs-karlsruhe.de/p/699-C-262-75398
VHS
Cooking Class on Traditional Indian Cuisine with Sucharitha Vuppalapati
Date: 05.07.26, 5:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
Location: Kimmelmannschule, Graf-Rhena-Straße 18, 76137 Karlsruhe
Costs: 79 € (including €20 for groceries)
Cooking Class on Traditional Indian Cuisine: Tandoori Chicken & Indian Flatbread
Tandoori chicken is a popular Indian dish in which chicken pieces are marinated in a spicy yogurt marinade and cooked in a tandoor (clay oven) or on a grill. It’s smoky and crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside.
Indian flatbread is a traditional Indian whole-grain flatbread that has been a staple in Indian households for centuries. Flatbread is not only easy to prepare but also incredibly versatile and nutritious.
Jeera rice is a popular Indian dish made by cooking rice with cumin seeds and other aromatic spices. It’s a spicy and fragrant rice dish that pairs well with a variety of Indian curries.
Moong Dal dessert is a creamy, sweet dessert made from yellow moong dal lentils, milk, sugar, cardamom, and chopped nuts. It delights with its mild flavor and pleasant, slightly grainy texture—perfect as a soothing way to end a meal.
Your instructor, Vijaya Sucharitha Vuppalapati, not only teaches authentic recipes and traditional cooking techniques but also provides insights into Indian food culture and the significance of shared meals. She has been leading Indian cooking classes at the vhs since 2018 and has already inspired numerous participants with the diversity of Indian cuisine.
Registration deadline: July 2, 2026
Registraion: https://www.vhs-karlsruhe.de/p/699-C-262-52103
Zeltival/Tollhaus
Concert
Drummer Trilok Gurtu is performing with Jan Garbarek
to the “Zeltival” at the Tollhaus
Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Tickets available at https://www.zeltival.de
VHS
Online Course
Ayurveda Pearls - Pearls of Wisdom from Ayurveda for Everyday Life
with Prajakta Anand Joshi
Thursday, 9.7.26, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Costs: 16 €
Namaste! Your native-speaking instructor invites you to discover Ayurvedic wisdom for everyday life. This course focuses on daily rituals (dinacharya) and seasonal rituals. We’ll briefly introduce some basic Ayurvedic concepts and conclude the course with a short quiz. We look forward to seeing you!
For beginners with no prior knowledge. The course will be taught in Hindi and English, with some German.
Instructor Prajakta Anand Joshi holds a Master’s degree (M.A.) in Sanskrit, has successfully passed the NET exam, and was awarded a gold medal for her achievements in the field of Vedic Studies.
Instructor: Prajakta Anand Joshi
Registration: https://www.vhs-karlsruhe.de/p/699-C-262-25024
VHS
Lecture by Mrunalini Dabke
Namaste India - Fascinating Insights into Hindi, India's Linguistic Diversity, and Culture
Date: Friday, July 10, 2026, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Location: VHS, Kaiserallee 12e
Costs: 16 €
Namaste – Fascinating Insights into Hindi, Linguistic Diversity, and Indian Culture
A Short Language Journey to India – with Culinary Tastes
Your native-speaking instructor invites you to a short, fascinating language journey to India.
During this evening, you’ll learn your first words in the language and get a sense of the diversity of India’s other languages. You’ll discover many interesting facts about the language, the country, and the culture. This little language journey will be rounded out with some culinary delights (finger food). We look forward to seeing you—Namaste!
Registration: https://www.vhs-karlsruhe.de/p/699-C-262-79260
VHS
Lecture by Mrunalini Dabke
Sanatan Dharma - An Introduction to Hinduism
Location: 17.07.26, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Location: VHS, Kaiserallee 12e
Costs: 14 €
Your instructor invites you to an introduction to Sanatan Dharma, or Hinduism. Together, you’ll take a first look at the central ideas, values, and spiritual traditions of this ancient religion and philosophy of life.
In addition, there will be a short chanting session featuring one or two mantras, offering a practical glimpse into the meditative and musical aspects of Hinduism.
No prior knowledge is required. We look forward to seeing you - Namaste!
Registraion: https://www.vhs-karlsruhe.de/p/699-C-262-25042
Lecture with Gokul Chandra
DHARMA - The Spiritual Ethos of India
Inspiration for Cultural Change in Europe
Date: 22.07.2026, starting at 7 p.m.
Location: DCS Contemporary Gallery, Karlstraße 43, 76133 Karlsruhe
In a time of profound change and social tensions, Dharma offers time-tested guidance for a meaningful and responsible life. It describes the art of unfolding one’s individual nature within a cosmic framework.
As an expression of a comprehensive order, this guiding principle influences all levels of life—from the individual to the family and education, and on to the economy and politics.
What insights does this timeless model offer for the challenges of our time and for a possible cultural transformation in Europe?
Voluntary cultural contribution
Expert Discussion: “Indian Skilled Workers and Apprentices in Nursing and the Trades”
Date: 29.07.26, 2:00–4:00 p.m.
Under the umbrella of the “India Board Karlsruhe,” the City of Karlsruhe’s Economic Development Agency and the Welcome Center TechnologieRegion Karlsruhe, as lead partners, are hosting a panel discussion on July 29, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., inviting approximately 15 experts and interested parties from the business, education, and government sectors. The goal is to facilitate an open exchange of experiences regarding the recruitment of Indian skilled workers and apprentices for the nursing and skilled trades sectors.
Against the backdrop of the current economic situation, an increasingly paradoxical trend is emerging in the labor market: While some companies are forced to cut staff due to economic pressures and structural changes, the skilled trades and the nursing sectors, in particular, continue to desperately seek qualified skilled workers and motivated apprentices. At the same time, shortages of skilled workers, demographic change, and rising demands on businesses are increasing the pressure to act. In this situation, international recruitment is becoming increasingly important.
This raises key questions regarding recognition procedures, integration, language support, and the long-term retention of skilled workers.
This event provides a forum to share successful approaches, discuss challenges together, and learn from one another. The focus is on the entire process chain - from outreach and selection through training and entry into the country to long-term integration into the workplace and society.
India Week Network
