Meet Aura Mendiratta, an extraordinary 8-year-old girl who has become a regular face in Christchurch’s community cultural events, captivating audiences with her talent across diverse art forms. Proudly embracing her Indian heritage, Aura showcases her cultural identity with confidence that stems from her strong connections to her roots and encouragement from her parents.

Aura comes from a family rooted in Indian and New Zealand cultures. Her father, Tarun Mendiratta, works as an IT professional, while her mother, Divya Mendiratta, is pursuing a Nursing degree. Originally from Delhi, the Mendiratta couple relocated to New Zealand in 2009, where Aura and her younger sister, Nora, were born.

Aura, a year four student at Westburn School in Ilam, has shown a keen interest in extra-curricular activities from a very young age.

From age three, Aura started taking various classes, including gymnastics, swimming, ballet, drama, climbing, and ice skating. Her parents, committed to ensuring that Aura stayed connected to her Indian roots, also introduced Aura to Bharatnatyam and Bollywood dance when she was five.

Aura’s dedication and talent were appreciated when she performed Bharatnatyam in a group for the first time at the age of six. She has since participated in numerous Bharatnatyam, Bollywood, and drama workshops, captivating audiences with her grace and skill.

Expanding her repertoire, Aura also delved into the world of Bhangra last year. Joining The Bhangra Fitness (TBF) Christchurch, Aura quickly mastered the energetic dance style and performed as part of a group at Teeyan Da Mela 2022 event, where she stood out as the youngest performer. By the time she turned 7, Aura confidently took the stage for her first solo Bhangra performance at the Selwyn Diwali event in November 2022.

Since then, she has participated in several solo Bhangra performances in Selwyn, Christchurch, and Ashburton, impressing the audience and fellow performers with her natural talent.

On being asked what kind of performances she loves to do, Aura says, “I love being on stage and doing all kinds of performances! I love Bhangra so much because it’s fun. It takes all your energy and makes you fit as well. I enjoy it a lot.”

Apart from her dance prowess, Aura also has a natural talent for singing. She enjoys listening to music, often with her father, who shares her interest in Indian melodies. She had her first public performance at an Arya Samaj event in May 2021.

Aura also participated in a Christmas Carols Competition for an Auckland radio singing contest in December 2021. Currently, she is participating in Jalsa Talent Show Season 4 and regaled the audience with her rendition of “Luka Chuppi” by Lata Mangeshkar, composed by A.R. Rahman.

Aura’s passion for the arts extends beyond dance and music. She has developed an interest in sketching, drawing, and painting, honing her skills under the guidance of her mother.

Aura excitedly says, “My mom is really good at painting, and when I saw her doing it, I also got interested in the art! She helps me and shows me how to get even better at it!”

Talking about their commitment to Aura’s creative growth, Father Tarun says, “My wife and I have been wholeheartedly supporting her interests. With Aura’s busy schedule packed with school, Bhangra, Bollywood dance, drama, and swimming classes, we have changed our lives around her classes and activities.”

Outside of her artistic endeavours, Aura also has a keen interest in sports. She loves swimming and biking and has participated in various Duathlon and Triathlon events across Christchurch and Selwyn over the past two years.

In her free time, Aura loves to watch dance videos of different artists and get inspiration from there.

Her well-rounded nature, academic excellence, and curious mind led to her selection for the prestigious Children University 2022, where she represented her class and school as the only Indian student among twenty chosen participants from Westburn School.

On her future plans, Aura says, “I am not sure right now, but I like reading, acting and sculpting in my free time. I also love doing science experiments. My mum and dad buy me science experiment kits. I also do lots of experiments from the ‘Children University’ web portal. Recently I did vinegar, baking soda and balloon experiment. I would like to be a scientist who uses lots of chemicals to do lots of experiments.”

With her infectious smile, natural talent, and ability to effortlessly master new skills, Aura Mendiratta has incredible potential and is poised to make her parents and community proud.