From verdant green New Zealand:

SHOW LINE-UP: Ashish, the Krazy Kidz and Monisha will be performing at Namaste NZ. Photos supplied.

SHIMMERING silk and polished performers pull big crowds to the latest entertainment wave surging through Western society.
And the excitement and allure of Bollywood music, dance and drama is set to entertain locals on August 29.

A spicy extravaganza, Namaste New Zealand promises to wow the audience with performing artists mixing traditional with contemporary Indian and Western dance.

Co-ordinator and dance teacher Viraf Todywalla says the night will be a fusion of ethnicities producing a multicultural spectacle.

His dance studio in Pakuranga is well-known for providing entertainment for numerous events.

“I will be performing and many of the dancers are from the area,” says Mr Todywalla.

“I teach children at Elm Park Primary School and Pakuranga Intermediate. They are all different ethnicities and they enjoy themselves a lot.”

Namaste NZ is supported by Farmers – Botany Downs in association with Mr Todywalla’s company V4U entertainments. There will also be a fashion show and light refreshments.

Funds raised will be donated to Heart Children New Zealand, the Botany retailer’s charity of choice.

“This style of entertainment has grown a lot since I came to New Zealand,” says Mr Todywalla.

“This month is flat out for me, with Indian Independence Day, and we are also supporting Pakistan Independence Day.”

Mr Todywalla is choreographing dancers for a Bollywood movie about to be filmed with all local stars. Live shooting will include the Auckland high-school Indian dance competition at the Logan Campbell Centre, Greenlane West, on August 22.

Namaste NZ starts at 7pm on August 29 at Edgewater College in Pakuranga.

General admission tickets cost $10 and front-row VIP seats are priced at $20.

They are available from Farmers stores or phone 272-9880.