Auckland-based dance academy TAAL New Zealand is set to take the global stage after its Krishna Leela production drew a near sell-out crowd on Saturday, May 31 at Avondale College Theatre. The performance marked a crucial fundraising milestone for the group’s upcoming international debut at the prestigious Diwali Dance Fest 2025 at Walt Disney World, Florida.
TAAL NZ is the first Indian-origin dance team from New Zealand and Australia to be selected for the cultural showcase, hosted by Jashn. Productions. Chosen from over 200 global applicants, the group will perform an Indian dance item at one of the world’s most iconic venues, representing not just Kiwi-Indian culture but the broader Australasian South Asian diaspora.
“Our goal was to honour our culture while rallying community support for our dancers’ international journey—and the response exceeded our expectations,” said Tanvi Kaushal, founder and managing trustee of TAAL New Zealand, who also directed and designed the production.
The Krishna Leela production, performed for the first time by the group, presented the life and divinity of Lord Krishna through a fusion of traditional and contemporary Indian dance. Narrated in English, the show brought Krishna’s story from birth to godhood to life with over 40 performers from TAAL.
Photo: Supplied
More than just a performance, the evening embodied a commitment to sustainability. “We asked for donations of unused bangles and sarees, so we could recycle and repurpose,” explained Kaushal, who also designed the costumes. The sets were DIY creations, collaboratively assembled by dancers and their families.
Following the success of Ram Leela in 2024, TAAL chose to revisit mythology through dance as their preferred medium of fundraising. “We thought to do this in a way that we knew best—through our art,” said Kaushal.
Photo: Supplied
TAAL extends its gratitude to the nearly 700 attendees and the many sponsors and community partners who helped bring the event to life: Southern Stars Charitable Trust, AA Cabinetry, Electric NZ, Verma Logistics, Swift Mortgages, and Maharaj Corporation. TAAL's supporting partners : Radio Tarana, Subway Stoddard Road, Ramen Media, GEvents, Shri Ram Mandir, Waitakere Indian Association, and Print EZY.
Their support now fuels TAAL’s mission to carry New Zealand’s multicultural spirit to a global audience.
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