Auckland’s biggest Diwali celebration is anything but predictable, and this year was no exception! Every edition of the BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival promises something fresh, and organisers made sure 2024 delivered with flair, fun, and fiery dance moves. Last year, it was a magical retelling of the ancient Indian epic Ramayan, but this time, it was all about electrifying dance, and boy, did the crowd feel the rhythm!
From the very start, the main stage was buzzing with energy. No matter where your musical tastes lie—be it Bollywood beats, classical grace, or Western flair—there was a performance to match every vibe. Audiences were glued to their spots, and the stage didn’t catch a break for two full days. With colourful costumes, heart-thumping energy, and a cheering crowd louder than a Diwali firecracker, the festival was pure entertainment overload.
But the real show-stealer? The Auckland Diwali Dance Competition 2024. This year’s battle for the trophy was fierce, with top dance troupes going head-to-head in a whirl of Bollywood fusion and folk moves. The coveted prize? A shiny trophy and a cool $1500.
Taking home the top honours was none other than Team SAVage, whose electrifying performance themed around Lord Shiva had the audience totally mesmerised. Picture this: vibrant costumes, synchronised moves, and the raw power of the Tandava dance infused with contemporary beats. Every formation was a spectacle, every step told a story, and the team’s jaw-dropping choreography had the crowd roaring with approval. It was graceful, powerful, and downright spellbinding.
Team SAVage for owned the stage and took home the 2024 Diwali trophy! The team of dance dynamos included Aishwarya, Sushmitha, Vishakha, Richa, Rebecca, Shreya, Pooja, Zashleena, Athira, Timila, Zeel, Fenil, Samdeep, Rahul, and Nilesh.
With this year’s festival wrapped up in style, we can’t wait to see what surprises Diwali 2025 has in store.