From Mehndi to Moko
“Mehndi Moko” and “Rangoli Art for Kids” workshops will be held at the Rotorua Arts Village on October 1 for Rotorua children. These workshops are part of the Rotorua Deepawali Festival, and aimed at building whakawhanaungatanga (Hindu-Maori relations).
The art workshops will be organised by Gina Wright, a Maori artist who is from Tainui (Ngati Naho) on her father’s side and Irish on her mother’s side. Her great grandmother was a gypsy – believed to be originally from tribes from Rajasthan, India.
“I have always felt an affinity with Indian culture and art and have been practising Mehndi since I was a teen,” said Ms Wright.
“Since the focus of this year’s festival is Youth, I wanted to contribute something for the Rotorua children, especially during their school holidays.”
Being an artist, Ms Wright said “organising free art workshops would be the easiest thing to do”.
She enjoys working with Hindu Council of New Zealand. During the 2009 Deepawali Festival, Gina helped with Mehndi (temporary Henna tattoo) and raised funds for Ekal Vidyalaya. Ekal Vidyalayas are one-teacher schools established in tribal areas of India to bring education and literacy to underprivileged children.
Ms Wright, along with Shaloh Mitchell from Ohinemutu village and Dr Guna Magesan, General Secretary of Hindu Council of New Zealand, was one of the members who organised Rotorua Holi Festival earlier this year.
It was during these Holi festivities, that Mehndi and Ta Moko art forms of two cultures were brought together possibly the very first time in New Zealand, instigating a new phrase, Mehndi Moko.
Hindu Council of New Zealand has been promoting inter-cultural exchanges in arts, culture and heritage. Celebrating Hindu festivals such as Deepawali, Holi, Raksha Bandhan on a wider community scale is part of promoting and sharing culture.
A day of fun and creativity with an introduction to local youth on some of the most beautiful ancient Hindu and other Indian art forms at the Rotorua arts village is a way of bringing people together and help understanding between cultures.
“Combining the talent of local youth and the exploration of Indian art we are sure to arrive at some exciting creations unique to Rotorua,” said Grace Hoet, Manager of Rotorua Art Village.
“I am happy to assist Rotorua Deepawali Festival in any way to promote it to the wider community,” she added.
Rangoli is an art form which uses mediums such as coloured rice, sand and flowers to create colourful designs. This workshop is aimed at children aged 5-11 years.
Mehndi is a temporary form of skin art typically applied during special occasions such as weddings and festivals. This workshop is aimed 12-18 age group.
These workshops are free. All interested must email rotorua.deepawali@gmail.com or register through our festival website http://rotoruadeepawali.org
The Rotorua Deepawali Festival will be celebrated at the Energy Events Centre on Saturday, 2 October 2010. Last year, more than 3000 people from both Rotorua and out of town came to participate, celebrate, and enjoy this unique smoke-free, alcohol-free and meat-free family event.
The event will start around 10am with inauguration ceremony, followed by Indian art exhibitions and workshops on Rangoli (ancient Indian art), Mehndi (temporary tattoo) decorating, Indian cooking, and Saree tying.
A spectacular Indian cultural show with various classical and folk dances of India will be performed by artists in the evening at 6.30pm. The festival will conclude with a fire-works display at 9pm.
“Mehndi Moko” and “Rangoli Art for Kids” workshops will be held at the Rotorua Arts Village on October 1 for Rotorua children. These workshops are part of the Rotorua Deepawali Festival, and aimed at building whakawhanaungatanga (Hindu-Maori relations). The art workshops will be organised by Gina...
“Mehndi Moko” and “Rangoli Art for Kids” workshops will be held at the Rotorua Arts Village on October 1 for Rotorua children. These workshops are part of the Rotorua Deepawali Festival, and aimed at building whakawhanaungatanga (Hindu-Maori relations).
The art workshops will be organised by Gina Wright, a Maori artist who is from Tainui (Ngati Naho) on her father’s side and Irish on her mother’s side. Her great grandmother was a gypsy – believed to be originally from tribes from Rajasthan, India.
“I have always felt an affinity with Indian culture and art and have been practising Mehndi since I was a teen,” said Ms Wright.
“Since the focus of this year’s festival is Youth, I wanted to contribute something for the Rotorua children, especially during their school holidays.”
Being an artist, Ms Wright said “organising free art workshops would be the easiest thing to do”.
She enjoys working with Hindu Council of New Zealand. During the 2009 Deepawali Festival, Gina helped with Mehndi (temporary Henna tattoo) and raised funds for Ekal Vidyalaya. Ekal Vidyalayas are one-teacher schools established in tribal areas of India to bring education and literacy to underprivileged children.
Ms Wright, along with Shaloh Mitchell from Ohinemutu village and Dr Guna Magesan, General Secretary of Hindu Council of New Zealand, was one of the members who organised Rotorua Holi Festival earlier this year.
It was during these Holi festivities, that Mehndi and Ta Moko art forms of two cultures were brought together possibly the very first time in New Zealand, instigating a new phrase, Mehndi Moko.
Hindu Council of New Zealand has been promoting inter-cultural exchanges in arts, culture and heritage. Celebrating Hindu festivals such as Deepawali, Holi, Raksha Bandhan on a wider community scale is part of promoting and sharing culture.
A day of fun and creativity with an introduction to local youth on some of the most beautiful ancient Hindu and other Indian art forms at the Rotorua arts village is a way of bringing people together and help understanding between cultures.
“Combining the talent of local youth and the exploration of Indian art we are sure to arrive at some exciting creations unique to Rotorua,” said Grace Hoet, Manager of Rotorua Art Village.
“I am happy to assist Rotorua Deepawali Festival in any way to promote it to the wider community,” she added.
Rangoli is an art form which uses mediums such as coloured rice, sand and flowers to create colourful designs. This workshop is aimed at children aged 5-11 years.
Mehndi is a temporary form of skin art typically applied during special occasions such as weddings and festivals. This workshop is aimed 12-18 age group.
These workshops are free. All interested must email rotorua.deepawali@gmail.com or register through our festival website http://rotoruadeepawali.org
The Rotorua Deepawali Festival will be celebrated at the Energy Events Centre on Saturday, 2 October 2010. Last year, more than 3000 people from both Rotorua and out of town came to participate, celebrate, and enjoy this unique smoke-free, alcohol-free and meat-free family event.
The event will start around 10am with inauguration ceremony, followed by Indian art exhibitions and workshops on Rangoli (ancient Indian art), Mehndi (temporary tattoo) decorating, Indian cooking, and Saree tying.
A spectacular Indian cultural show with various classical and folk dances of India will be performed by artists in the evening at 6.30pm. The festival will conclude with a fire-works display at 9pm.
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