The Finale will be held on Sunday, September 15 at Sky Theatre, Auckland
Venkat Raman
Auckland, June 30, 2024
Reshab D Productions, popularly known as Rhythm House Limited, has commenced auditions for its annual Miss IndiaNZ competition, the finals of which will be held at 6.30 pm on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
Auditions were held in Wellington, where, according to Producer-Director Dharmesh Parikh, the response has been ‘so enthusiastic and engaging’ that the team plans to return for further interviews.
Wellington gains importance
“Wellington is becoming an important centre for Miss IndiaNZ with an increasing number of applicants expressing interest in our event. We are considering the best possible combination of shows to encourage talent,” he said.
Indian Newslink has been promoting Miss IndiaNZ as a Media Partner along with Radio Tarana since the competition was launched in 2002. Regional contests have been held in other cities from time to time and in 2007, semi-finalists from Wellington participated in the finals held in Auckland, winning many individual titles.
“Auditions for this year’s event will continue in Auckland, while the dates are being finalised for Rotorua, Hamilton and Christchurch. Miss IndiaNZ is open to women of Kiwi-Indian descent over the age of 18 and their entry will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Contest. We do not ask contestants to seek sponsorships or sell tickets but over the years formulated rules and regulations that protect the interests of all stakeholders including participants,” Mr Parikh said.
He said that apart from the limelight and media attention, contestants at the Miss IndiaNZ event will vie for the 2024 Title and prizes valued at about $3000.
A wealth of talent
Twenty years ago, Mr Dharmesh said the wealth of talent seen among the participating young women was astounding.
“There is ample public support and the number of entries that Miss IndiaNZ is always rewarding. The event has been getting bigger and better year after year, even as it builds confidence and celebrates our unique heritage. Our Judges and trainers always ask entrants and participants to ‘enjoy a spectacular show, unlike any other in New Zealand.’ Our event goes beyond the perceived external beauty,” he said.
Mr Parikh and his team have planned training sessions for all entrants to enable them to understand the nuances of the competition, gain the competence to face large audiences and actively and meaningfully participate in the Questions and Answers Round, which evinces wider audience interest.
“I am happy that Miss IndiaNZ has reached out to other parts of the country. If there is sufficient funding available, preliminary rounds of the contests can even be held in other major centres in due course,” Mr Parikh said.
Mr Parikh said that a panel of independent judges would decide on the winners and that their decision would be final and binding.
“Our judges are qualified and experienced and would apply set parameters in the judging process. Miss Indianz 2024 will showcase not only our young aspirants but also Indian culture and heritage. It would also be a celebration of Kiwi Indian beauty, fashion, dance and music,” he said.
Over the years, Miss IndiaNZ has gone beyond the usual catwalk, shedding the belief that beauty alone is an attribute to win at a pageant.
The talent round, for instance, usually brings out the innate capabilities of some contestants in singing and dancing, a welcome departure from the run-of-the-mill events of the type and that should have sufficed. The contestants are always in their sartorial resplendence, displaying the grace of the saree and other dresses in varied designs and colours, with appropriate hairstyles and makeup.
With some of the title winners and runners-up winning in global contests, the level of popularity and confidence is high.
“A major challenge for contestants outside of Auckland is taking time out to be here for the event. This is clear evidence that Indian fashion, music and dance are becoming more popular in this country,” Mr Parikh said.
Most of the contestants of Miss Indianz say that they enter the pageant for the pleasure of participation, rather than taking home the title.
“Some of them do not even ask about the prizes,” Mr Parikh said.
Personal Development Workshops
Contestants participate in two full days of intensive workshops that focus on personal growth and self-improvement. These workshops are tailored to help them become well-rounded individuals and include topics such as (a) Confidence Building -techniques to boost self-confidence, overcome stage fright, and develop a strong presence (b) Effective Communication- mastering the art of spontaneous speech, articulating thoughts clearly, and handling impromptu questions with ease (c) Teamwork – acquiring teamwork and collaboration skills to work effectively with others, fostering a sense of camaraderie (d) Camera Confidence- gaining insight into what it is like to be in front of a camera, learning how to present your best self (e) Handling Judgement- understanding how to handle scrutiny and judgment gracefully, both on and off stage.
Industry Insights
Miss IndiaNZ provides contestants with a unique opportunity to gain insights into the entertainment and media industry. Rhythm House leverages its extensive professional network to connect contestants with industry experts, giving them a glimpse of the world behind the scenes.
Discover Your Inner Strengths
This programme is designed to help contestants tap into their inner strengths, conquer their fears, and emerge as more confident and resilient individuals. Through a series of activities and challenges, participants learn to face adversity head-on and emerge victorious.
For entry and other details, please call 0212727454 or visit www.missindianz.co.nz
