Celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights, at Auckland Museum with classical Indian dance by Anuradha’s School of Indian Dances, a saree draping demonstration and henna artists.
SAT 14 NOV, 10AM - 12PM
TE AO MĀRAMA SOUTH ATRIUM
FREE WITH MUSEUM ENTRY
Namaste! Join us at Auckland Museum for a joyful Diwali celebration, in collaboration with Anuradha's School of Indian Dances. Diwali marks new beginnings and the triumph of light over darkness.
Celebrate this year’s Festival of Lights and experience the vibrant culture of Auckland’s Indian community through traditional dress, adornment and dance.
Classical dance performances: Enjoy traditional Indian classical dance performances by Anuradha's School of Indian Dances
Saree draping demonstration: Learn how to drape and wear colourful traditional Indian sarees.
Henna: Visit our talented henna artists, who will apply their intricate craft to bring blessings of prosperity and joy. Get your hands decorated with beautiful henna designs.
Anuradha's School of Indian Dances is a premier institution under the artistic direction of Anuradha Ramkumar, MNZM. Their arts practice is steeped in the rich ethos of Indian classical dance forms, embracing the mission of preserving, propagating, and presenting these ancient arts, for the past 29 years in New Zealand. Apart from being a dance guru, she is also an academic teacher having served as an intermediate school teacher for over 20 years in New Zealand.
Anuradha has been conferred with innumerable prestigious awards from esteemed organizations for her achievements and outstanding contribution to the community by keeping Indian art and culture alive. To her credit she has been recognized in the 2024 New Years Honours List by the Government of New Zealand, and has been appointed as a Member of New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM). The King's Honour Citation said that she has been providing opportunities for future generations of New Zealand Indians to maintain links to their culture heritage and she has been recognised for her services to Indian Classical Dances.
Anuradha Ramkumar has 40 years of experience in these art forms and her choreography is par excellence which many of New Zealanders would have witnessed several dance drama productions, the "Kamba Ramayan", "Sri Krishna", "Maha Yugas", "Surya Putra Karna", "Krishna Leela" and "Bharatha" amongst others. She has incorporated elements of Māori culture as an ode to recognising connections between Indians in New Zealand and tangata whenua.
Recently her institution produced and presented a three-hour dance drama "Ayodhya Rama" and donated the entire proceeds amounting to $20,000 towards the construction of the temple in Auckland. These productions are also attribute to the innate talent of the younger members of our society who are a source of pride and also the ambassadors of Indian culture and tradition.
Anuradha Ramkumar and her students have been credited for their performances at various prestigious occasions in New Zealand - WOMAD (World Organisation of Music and Dance), Hamilton Theme Gardens opening ceremony, Westfield Style Pacifica Awards, Villa-Maria Fashion awards , AK0S festival, Civic Theatre Flamingo Curtain Opening Ceremony, Haka meets Hindu (fusion of Maori and Indian cultures) Parliament Diwali celebration, Indian Weekender Hall of Fame Business Awards, Indian Newslink Business Awards, Indian Newslink Sports, Community, Arts & Culture Awards, Auckland Museum and Auckland Art Gallery Diwali celebrations, Festival of South India, Festival of India, Diwali Festivals and a host of community events.
In her capacity, she has served the community in a variety of extraordinary performances and fundraising events for noble causes. This has also provided opportunities for people from different cultures to take part in the interactive workshops to get a better insight into Indian Art and Culture.
The most memorable opportunity their school had was to perform during the recent visit of Honourable Droupadi Murmu, President of India and “Ram Leela” a grand musical dance production at the iconic Auckland Town Hall during BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival, 2025.