ARTS and CULTURE: 

TThe New Zealand Telangana Central Association celebrated a vibrant Telangana Bonalu festival on Sunday 16TH July at the Papakura Ganesh Temple. The occasion witnessed an exceptional gathering of many community leaders including several members of Telangana community. The event was graced by the presence of New Zealand Cabinet Minister, Priyanca Radhakrishnan, along with MP Helen White, Kanwaljit Singh, Siva Kilari, Rahul Chopra, Navjet Sarna, Kharag Singh, Narendra Bhana, Dhanshukh Lal, Jeet Suchdev, Sunil Kuncha, Yatish Wadera, Srilatha Magatala, Sunil Kaushal and several other community leaders. The highlight of the program was the traditional offering of Bonam to Mahankaali, the revered deity.

The 9th edition of International Yoga Day was celebrated across the globe on 21st June 2023 and the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a group of several hundred Yoga enthusiasts from 184 countries at the UN headquarters to commemorate the day in New York. The Yoga Day sessions were organised across the globe in all towns and cities in India, the land of Yoga, and here in New Zealand as well. Auckland was the busiest place, organising several World Yoga Day events in the different parts of the city.

India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand Neeta Bhushan and Second Secretary Durga Das also took part in the festivities. They were welcomed by the Mandir Trustee Chairperson Roshan Nauhria, President Ambrish Gupta, and Secretary Yugal Parashar. H.E. Neeta Bhushan was visibly very happy to be present at the Mandir on such a momentous occasion. She was in Auckland on a two-day visit to take part in the International Yoga Day and to meet the diaspora community in Auckland to address their issues

The 9th edition of International Yoga Day was celebrated across the globe on 21st June 2023 and the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a group of several hundred Yoga enthusiasts from 184 countries at the UN headquarters to commemorate the day in New York. The Yoga Day sessions were organised across the globe in all towns and cities in India, the land of Yoga, and here in New Zealand as well. Auckland was the busiest place, organising several World Yoga Day events in the different parts of the city.

Sakhi group has made a significant impact in the community since its establishment in 2017. This group was initiated by Jyoti Parashar, Aditee Naik, and a few like-minded ladies with a vision to empower and provide support to the women in the community in Auckland. Over the years, the group has grown in strength and numbers, becoming a reliable source of empowerment for women.

Supported by Bharatiya Mandir, the Sakhi group aims to provide a platform for women of all ages to connect, share their experiences, help each other in settling into their new surroundings and provide the support to those in need. The group organises events and programs throughout the year to promote the well-being and development of ladies in the community.

High quality Bollywood music was on display Friday evening, 21st October, @ the Due Drop events center in Auckland. Popular Bollywood artist Abhijeet Bhattacharya mesmerized the kiwi Indian community, in a spectacular show.

“I can dance with a five-year-old as well as forty-year-old, I really don’t mind” says Kesha Surti, director of Khottey Sikke Dance School

“We need the support guys, so do come support us and enjoy the music of the world. You will see how Indian music will be in every collaboration and how it mixes with other music thereby beautifying it. In our Indian culture few things are very highly respected all over the world and music is one of them, just like Yoga, meditation, etc. You will experience the magic happening live right in front of your eyes.” concludes Basant Madhur

The next show from New Zealand’s biggest South Asian theatre company Prayas Theatre, Dhaba on Devon Avenue, comes to TAPAC from 26 May to 5 June 2022. From American playwright Madhuri Shekar, this searing family drama blends King Lear and The Cherry Orchard in a story of fathers, daughters, and survival at all costs.

Natch-Kathak Dance company is a collaboration between Sargam School of Indian music and Purnima Garg. Established recently, this platform has been brewing since last year, crusted with an ambitious plan in Purnima’s mind, finally coming into action with alacrity. She has had her training at the National Institute of Kathak – Kathak Kendra, New Delhi for over a decade and with a diploma.

It’s been not too long when everyone was grooving to the beats of Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas and Yaad-E-Rafi shows presented by Gopal Bhatia, singer, and radio jokey by profession. That now he is back again with, yet another show named ‘Magical Pancham’ which is scheduled to take place on 5th March at Skycity Theaters in Auckland.

Arranged has made their journeys easier in the sense where they got to explore the possibilities of what they are wanting or what they are looking for in a relationship. And most important of all, will that relationship lead to marriage? Will they have a happily ever after? For more answers tune into TV Three every Saturday at 4 pm.