Indian and Chinese dance groups perform at ASB Polyfest
Posted on April 08, 2025
On Thursday 3 April, the Macleans College Indian dance and Chinese dance groups competed at the 50th anniversary of Polyfest, held at the Manukau Sports Bowl.
The ASB Polyfest celebrates traditional music, dance, costume and cultural speech competitions. Established in 1976, it has grown to become one of the largest Pacific cultural festivals in the world.
This year the theme/Kaupapa was “Legacy - a treasure handed down" or "He oha nō tua, he taonga tuku iho!"
A total of 116 groups performed on the Diversity stage, representing a wide range of cultures and countries.
The Macleans College Indian dance group was a combination of the Bollywood and Punjabi dance groups. It was led by Lakshmi Thilakeswaran (Te Kanawa House), Deeksha Suresh (Mansfield), Lakshya Narooka (Hillary), Karen Kaur (Te Kanawa) and Harman Kaur (Batten). Their performance reflected how cultural traditions embody history, identity and connection to heritage. These elements strengthen cultural bonds and highlight the richness of diversity. For the students, this connection inspires and shapes who they are today.
The group presented four dances:
- Giddah: a traditional folk dance performed by women in Punjab. It expresses joy and celebrates festive occasions. The dance is known for its grace, flexibility and strength.
- Pushpanjali-Bharatanatyam: a classical dance offering flowers to Hindu gods or goddesses.
- Pranavalaya: a semi-classical dance.
- Moti Verana: a dance welcoming the goddess Ambe Ma. It celebrates rituals such as dressing in festive attire, dancing Garba and decorating homes with pearls, flowers and diyas to invite blessings and prosperity.
The Macleans College Chinese dance group incorporated both the traditional round fan and folding fan. These fans are more than artistic props - they are cultural symbols passed down through generations.
The round fan, with its circular shape, represents harmony, unity and the cyclic nature of life - values central to Chinese culture. The folding fan symbolises grace and the unfolding of stories over time.
Through expressive choreography, the group wove a visual narrative that honoured the past while embracing the present. Their performance served as a tribute to the legacy of their ancestors. The group was led by Evana Song (Hillary) and Rae Zhou (Batten).
Both dance groups were student-led, with students choreographing and teaching the routines to their peers. Their commitment and creativity are commendable.
Participating in Polyfest offered students the opportunity to celebrate their culture and represent Macleans College with pride - an experience they will carry with them for years to come.