15 March 2012
A Bit of Bollywood at the ASB Polyfest
A bit of Bolliwood comes to the ASB Polyfest today with ten Indian groups performing on The Office of Ethnic Affairs Diversity stage, and talent scouts looking on.
The Diversity stage has grown significantly at the ASB Polyfest in recent years with 54 groups taking part this year.
Watching on with interest will be local Indian entertainment promoter – Dharmesh Parikh who has attended the festival
for the past few years.
Parikh rates the ASB Polyfest as – “one of my favourites for spotting upcoming talent. Students are aware that they are
being seen by major event producers, film and television people whilst performing on the Diversity stage.
“I have got entrants for the Miss Indian NZ beauty pageant from the ASB Polyfest, and festival participants had the
chance to work on the Bollywood film that was shot in New Zealand in 2010. We always need a good pool of talent for
various roles such as dancers, presenters, extras, featured extras and aspirants who want to get started in the
entertainment industry.”
“The first half of 2012 is packed with Bollywood pop concerts in Auckland. The biggest is Sonu Nigam on the 21st of
April. The promoter of this concert – Mr Shane Sohal from SS Telefilms is attending the ASB Polyfest to tap the
shoulders of some outstanding performers to participate in an upcoming Mega Talent Hunt. The winner of the Mega Talent
Hunt gets to perform at item with Indian Bollywood legend – Sonu Nigam at his Auckland concert.”
Cultures represented on the Diversity stage today are Indian, Sri Lankan, Fijiian-Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Korean,
Thai, African, Malaysian and Japanese.
The other stage in full swing today is the Hapai Te Hauora Maori Stage from 8:30am – 5pm. The Division Two kapa haka competition is on today, with teams vying to be promoted to Division One
next year.
The Cook Island, Samoan and Tongan stages will feature speech competitions today, with their traditional dance
competitions all getting underway tomorrow.
Another feature of the ASB Polyfest today is the “My Culture & Me” programme which sees twenty Auckland primary and intermediate schools at the festival. They will receive a special
powhiri at 9am this morning before exploring the ASB Village and rest of the ASB Polyfest.
The 2012 ASB Polyfest takes place at the ASB Sports Bowl from Wednesday, 14 March to Saturday, 17 March. Entry is $5
with pre-school children free of charge. The public have the chance to win flights every day at the ASB Polyfest with
Virgin Samoa.
Click here for facts about 2012 ASB Polyfest.
ENDS