Afghan Voices

Afghan Voices © Goethe Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan | Pakhi Sen An audio project that taps into the voices of the Afghan community in Delhi, through the summer of 2021. Set against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is a record of emotions, memories and music, as well as sounds from streets and homes. A city symphony, composed by its residents. Listen to the theme song here.


The Poet

© Goethe Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan | Pakhi Sen

“Can you dedicate an interesting poem for us?”
The verses of Jalaluddin Mohammad Balkhi, and Rumi.


The Cage

© Goethe Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan | Pakhi Sen

“Listening, the infant grows a hundred years old.”
A poet and her poem.


Birdsong

© Goethe Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan | Pakhi Sen

“What was the reason you decided to record the sound of the birds in the park for me?” 
A father brings home a gift for his daughter.


Children in the park

© Goethe-Institut

“When I heard this song, I remembered my own childhood.”
Rhymes and reasons from childhood games.


Childhood Memories

© Goethe-Institut

“It was a marvellous, peaceful time.”
Memories of a carefree childhood.


Nostalgia

© Goethe Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan | Pakhi Sen

“…I have lots of good memories.”
Fathers and children.


Delhi

© Goethe-Institut

“Why do you love Delhi?”
Monuments and memories.


Lockdown and Depression

© Goethe Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan | Pakhi Sen

“Our home has become suddenly our office, our school.”
Life in a pandemic.


Daily Life

© Goethe Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan | Pakhi Sen

“Most of the time I think about what will the future of the kids be like?” The daily rituals of Delhi's lockdown.


Work

© Goethe Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan | Pakhi Sen

“Business and trade all over the world has suffered.”
Making a living.


The Musician

© Goethe-Institut

“How did you get into music?”
Following a dream.


The Photographer

© Goethe-Institut

“Photography is like my eyes. And wherever I go, I go with my eyes.” Photography and books.


Self portrait

© Goethe-Institut

“My big ambition in life is that I become a famous and independent girl.”
Dreams and goals.


Chit Chat

© Goethe-Institut

“What is the best gift you have ever received?”
Books, Gifts, Seasons, and Social Media.


Seasons

© Goethe-Institut

“I like that it is always cloudy, rainy, and cold.”
Favourite Seasons.


Success and Failure

© Goethe-Institut

“If you never fail, you never win.”
Finding strength during tough times.


Kindness

© Goethe-Institut

“In this world we find a lot of people who need kindness.”
Kindness is magic.


The Storyteller

© Goethe Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan | Pakhi Sen

“The story starts like this: One day a man sells his water well to a peasant …” A tale of wit and wisdom.


The Pianist

© Goethe-Institut

“What motivated you to play the piano?”
Hear how music can bring calm and happiness.


Lockdown

© Goethe Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan | Pakhi Sen

“The new normal.”
Lessons learned from the lockdown.


The Artist

© Goethe-Institut

“Art expresses things words cannot express.”
What motivates an artist to create?


The Chef

© Goethe-Institut

“What is your job?”
Food and sports.


Baking

© Goethe-Institut

“Why did you make a cream cake?”
A recipe and a chat.


Walk in the park

© Goethe-Institut

“It’s still raining a little bit.”
Good weather and exercise.


Proverbs I Love

© Goethe Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan | Pakhi Sen

“This is actually true that when we seek we will find.”
Proverbs that offer inspiration.


Lockdown Reading

© Goethe-Institut

“Reading fiction is a great way to develop your social brain.”
Literary journeys during lockdown.


Ambition

© Goethe Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan | Pakhi Sen

“What are your goals for the next three years?”
Goals and ambition.


Student Life

© Goethe-Institut

“In addition to my school lessons, I also take English and computer classes.”
Learning online.


Conversation

© Goethe-Institut

“I got the chance to meet more people and I gained good experiences from their words.”
Sharing experiences.


Reading in the Park

© Goethe-Institut

“We brought a book along with us to the park.”
Excerpts from books.


Sounds

© Goethe Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan | Pakhi Sen

“The environment here is very relaxing and peaceful.”
A visit to the Afghan embassy.


Trip to the Library

© Goethe-Institut

“I plan to go to the library to get the two books I want to read.”
Books and the library.


Poetry

© Goethe Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan | Pakhi Sen

“These small paper boats on water ...”
The verses of Simeen Behbahani.


Lockdown Life

© Goethe Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan | Pakhi Sen

“With or even without the lockdown, our lives have changed completely.”
The new normal.

 

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© Goethe-Institut

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