Vineeta Rao
Auckland’s vibrant Indian community is brightening up a dreary winter’s evening with a colorful and culturally rich event, the Sawan Milan Festival. Organised by the Uttar Pradesh Association of New Zealand (UPANZ), this much-anticipated celebration will take place on Saturday, July 5, 2025, from 12 PM to 3 PM, at the Mt Roskill Tennis Club.
The Sawan Milan Festival is a heartfelt tribute to the monsoon season, feminine grace, and the spiritual energy that flows through the traditions of Uttar Pradesh. Organisers say it is not just another event but a living showcase of the Hindi heartland’s art, music, language, and culinary legacy.
The brainchild of Suman Kapoor, a long-standing patron of the Association, the Sawan Milan festival has been coordinated by Kashika Singh. The President of the association’s Auckland branch, Rakesh Maihar, leads the organising team to ensure that the event is lives up to expectations and is nothing short of a cultural gala. “The Sawan Mela isn’t just a festival, it is an emotional homecoming for many of us, and a vibrant introduction to U.P. culture for the wider Kiwi and Indian communities,” said Rakesh.
A Green affair in more ways than one
Sawan, or the fifth month in the Hindu calendar, is also known as ‘shravan.’ Although the calendar month is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva, it also heralds the monsoon season in India and therefore celebrates nature’s feminine energy.
The festival of Sawan Milan organised by the UPANZ, is typically celebrated in North India. It captures the essence of the season. Women traditionally dress in green attire and decorate their hands with intricate patterns of mehndi (henna). They celebrate with music and dance, including traditional folk dances, Kajri songs, and cultural performances. Children and youth also take centre stage, performing in Hindi and its regional dialects like Bhojpuri (commonly spoken by Fiji Indians), reflecting U.P.’s linguistic diversity and preserving it for future generations.
Special Guests and Community Recognition
Dr. Madan Mohan Sethi, the Consul General of India in Auckland, who has been a strong supporter of community-led cultural initiatives, will be the chief guest at the event. Several other dignitaries and local leaders are expected to attend, highlighting the significance of U.P.’s cultural heritage in New Zealand’s multicultural landscape.
The event also pays tribute to the founding members of UPANZ, who laid its foundation in 2019 and have nurtured it into a thriving platform for celebration, connection, and cultural pride.
Entry is Free! Everyone is Welcome!
Guests can expect a delightful afternoon of traditional Uttar Pradesh cuisine, live music, folk and contemporary performances, and the warmth of community. As always, entry is free, and all families, friends, and community members are warmly invited to join the celebrations.
So, mark your calendars for Saturday, July 5, and be part of this joyful expression of heritage, harmony, and heart, at the Sawan Milan Festival 2025.
