Venkat Raman
Imitation may be a form of flattery but it turns into unhealthy competition, the result is a spoilt market, unsustainable for everyone, including the consumer; for how long can quality subsist amidst mediocrity?
We have seen it around us and so does Rhythm House and its Director Dharmesh who are marking the Fifteenth Anniversary of their sparkling event, ‘Miss Indianz.’ Amidst a plethora of competitions, their Programme stands out as a cultural extravaganza, emphasising in the all-round proficiency of the participants, not their body or beauty.
Strong dual identity
“Miss Indianz is a unique and spectacular celebration of the Kiwi Indian culture. It is a magical way to embrace and express your Indian roots, and it is an unmissable event for those who reside in the Land of the Long White Cloud, but who identify strongly with both the Kiwi and the Indian culture,” Mr Parikh said.
It is not uncommon, he added, “For someone to wear western clothes to work feel her best in a sari; for someone who has a fondness for roast lamb but spends most evening dining on curries and roti; for someone living in New Zealand but still has a strong kinship to their Indian heritage, Miss Indianz is the perfect platform.”
Not the P Word, please
Mr Parikh despises the ‘P’ word, although he uses it inevitably, being in the business of organising and marketing cultural and social events.
“If ‘P’ is for Pageant, I would to leave it out of my dictionary. Miss Indianz is not just another pageant. It is as much about beauty and fashion as it is about showcasing culture, talent in music and dance and the ability to think on one’s feet. This is not a show, this is an event that is source of endearment to thousands of people over these 15 years,” he said.
“Miss IndiaNZ is not just another pageant. It’s all about Bollywood, glitz, glamour and diversity and is an amazing celebration of who we are as Kiwi Indians,” says Dharmesh. “It doesn’t just showcase beauty – it’s jam-packed full of fashion, dance and music. It’s an extravaganza!”
Miss Indianz 2016
The 15th Annual Edition of Miss Indianz will be held at Aotea Centre, Auckland City on Saturday, September 16, 2017. About 20 contestants, aged between 16 and 25 will take to the stage in the hope of taking home the Title Crown, the Runners-Up (First and Second) honours and/or one of several other individual titles and prizes.
Tickets will be on sale in August.
“Our participants have loved every moment of their presence in Miss Indianz. From the initial stages of filing their entry, through to rehearsals and round of interviews to the final day under the spotlights and exquisite settings, their involvement is complete. Each of them comes with an aspiration – to become models, fashion designers, singers, actors and show organisers – those in earnest attempt seldom go disappointed. Our participants today live in many parts of the world, each successful in her chosen field,” Mr Parikh said.
We commence in this issue our profile of the Miss Indianz 2016 participants.
Aarti Singh
Nature with its bounty has always been an attraction for Aarti Singh, who was born in Tehri Garhwal in the hilly state of Uttarakhand in North India. Moving to Delhi when she was five years old and to New Zealand when she was seven was perhaps the most beautiful experience in her life.
“I have always lived in Rotorua and I love every moment of life in this City. My family recently established an India Takeaway which keeps me engaged during the day. I am a part-time student,” she said.
Aarti said she filed her entry to Miss Indianz for its quality and sincerity.
“This event provides a unique opportunity to celebrate our multicultural outlook. I believe that I am Indian in my inner world, while my other half considers it to be Kiwi,” she said.
Anusha Sharma
Born and raised in Chandigarh, Anusha Sharma obtained a Diploma in Hotel Management from Otago Polytechnic and is currently employed in a hotel in Hamilton.
“I have decided to enter Miss Indianz 2017 because I love to meet new people and get to know more about beautiful New Zealand. I believe that my experience in modelling and the prizes that I have won in many Kathak dance competitions will be of help,” she said.
Anusha believes that Miss Indianz will be her step into the future.
“It has always been my dream to be a part of such a good event,” she said.
Valentine Fernandes
This youngster from Dubai is now pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing at the Western Institute of Technology (WITT) Taranaki, based in New Plymouth.
As well as moonlighting over three jobs, Valentine Fernandez is a volunteer at a number of community organisations.
“Pageants help in gaining experience, training, making friends and growing in oneself. Being able to participate in a pageant, about my heritage, in a different country, is a huge opportunity and a way for me to showcase my cultural diversity,” she said.
Valentine’s hobbies include guitar, badminton, reading, walking along the beach and spending time with family and friends.
| Miss Indianz
15th Annual Event Saturday, September 16, 2017 at 730 pm Aotea Centre, Auckland Tickets from August www.rhythmhouse.co.nz |
