ISSUE
Friday, August 15, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 72
AN exhibition showcasing the spirit of India has brought the Wellington Indian community together – and uncovered hidden talents within it.
Mystique – Beyond Comprehension, an exhibition organised by the Wellington Hindi School, marked the start of Diwali festivities.
The name for the exhibition could not have been more appropriate, says project manager Ratnabali Bose.
“In the search for the mystique, elusive India, we found ourselves,” she says. “Ordinary people with extraordinary talents, all within our small community.
“We are the people who carry the spirit of India within us and this exhibition just helped reinforce that.” Exhibition co-ordinator Sunita Narayan says the aim of the exhibition was to two-fold.
It gave visitors an insight into Indian culture beyond Bollywood and butter chicken, while giving those with an Indian background a connection to their roots.
Visitors had a glimpse of Indian home life, traditional Ayurvedic medicine, yoga and Indian languages spoken in New Zealand.
Tribal-style paintings by students from the Wellington Hindi School depicted traditional daily village life.
Profiles of Indian New Zealanders showed their part in the economic, social and cultural fabric of New Zealand.
Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand, one of the Indian New Zealanders profiled, opened the exhibition.
He said it was a window into Indian culture, heritage and the Indian community’s contribution to New Zealand society.
“New Zealanders of Indian descent have contributed much to our country’s economy and society in a number of ways through participation in many disciplines including business, medicine, the law, sport and academia.”
The exhibition was a powerful message for the power of diversity for enhancing cultural understanding, he said.
AN exhibition showcasing the spirit of India has brought the Wellington Indian community together – and uncovered hidden talents within it.
Mystique – Beyond Comprehension, an exhibition organised by the Wellington Hindi School, marked the start of Diwali festivities.
The name for the exhibition...
AN exhibition showcasing the spirit of India has brought the Wellington Indian community together – and uncovered hidden talents within it.
Mystique – Beyond Comprehension, an exhibition organised by the Wellington Hindi School, marked the start of Diwali festivities.
The name for the exhibition could not have been more appropriate, says project manager Ratnabali Bose.
“In the search for the mystique, elusive India, we found ourselves,” she says. “Ordinary people with extraordinary talents, all within our small community.
“We are the people who carry the spirit of India within us and this exhibition just helped reinforce that.” Exhibition co-ordinator Sunita Narayan says the aim of the exhibition was to two-fold.
It gave visitors an insight into Indian culture beyond Bollywood and butter chicken, while giving those with an Indian background a connection to their roots.
Visitors had a glimpse of Indian home life, traditional Ayurvedic medicine, yoga and Indian languages spoken in New Zealand.
Tribal-style paintings by students from the Wellington Hindi School depicted traditional daily village life.
Profiles of Indian New Zealanders showed their part in the economic, social and cultural fabric of New Zealand.
Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand, one of the Indian New Zealanders profiled, opened the exhibition.
He said it was a window into Indian culture, heritage and the Indian community’s contribution to New Zealand society.
“New Zealanders of Indian descent have contributed much to our country’s economy and society in a number of ways through participation in many disciplines including business, medicine, the law, sport and academia.”
The exhibition was a powerful message for the power of diversity for enhancing cultural understanding, he said.
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