Introducing the Aainaa community

Neel and Veneeta Pathak

Hindu
Married 20 February 1982
Suva, Fiji

We met and fell in love during the days when we both were students. It was love at first, second, and third sight.

 

John and Bala Bell Thomson

Non-denominational and Hindu
Married 8 October 1962
Dar-es-Salaam, Tanganyika (now Tanzania)

It was mutual attraction in all respects.

Taran and Paramjit Singh

Sikh
Married 1 February 1986
Hamilton, New Zealand

Parents still tend to have a view that they have not done their duties as parents until all their children are married.

Satya Kam and Dr Bindu Sharma

Hindu
Married 8 October 1989
Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, India

I believe that the marriage within the same caste and religion helps to develop a better understanding and relationship.

Jayesh and Manisha Morar

Hindu
Married January 1998
Wellington, New Zealand

A Hindu ceremony binds all the philosophies of love, unity, and sharing.

Glenn and Sukhi Turner

Non-denominational and Sikh
Married July 1973
London, United Kingdom

We met at a function organised by the Indian Cricket Association for the New Zealand visiting team.

Ishaq and Parveen Baksh

Muslim
Married 1995
Delhi, India

I chose my husband – my choice. He chose me – his choice.

Qaiser Iqbal and Farida Sultana, with their daughter Ayesha

Muslim
Married 24 December 1987
Hyderabad, India

We liked each other, then we proposed marriage through our parents, and everybody agreed.

Ravinder and Harvinder Singh

Sikh
Married 4 November 2000
Sri Ganganager, Rajahstan, India

You’ve got to know who you are. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do, as long as you totally believe.

Many organisations and individuals gave advice and support to Te Papa during the development of Aainaa – Reflections through Indian weddings, the exhibition on which this learning resource is based.

The Aainaa Community Advisory Group

Over a period of eighteen months, the following members of the Wellington Indian community generously gave their time and expertise to Te Papa:

• Mr Ashwin Gulab
• Mrs Ruxmaniben Kasanji
• Mrs Kamil Lakshman
• Mrs Karuna Ranchhod
• Dr Pushpa Wood.

Te Papa thanks the Hindu, Sikh, and Muslim communities of New Zealand and in particular those of the Wellington region:

• New Zealand Indian Central Association (Inc.) and the Wellington Indian Association (Inc.)
• New Zealand Sikh Society (Wellington)
• The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (Inc.)

Te Papa thanks the following individuals for their advice:

Sheikh Mohammed Amir, Mr Nazru Ali, Mr Ashraf Farouk, Mr Natu G Rama, Mr Pathmanathan T Raja, Mr Harbans Singh Randhawa, Reverend Narinder Singh, Mr Paramjit Singh, and Mr Prithipal Singh.

Te Papa also thanks Dr Pooshan Navathe, Dr Kumud Navathe, Shruti Navathe, Mr Nanubhai Ranchhod, and Mrs Pamelaben Ranchhod for their advice and assistance in the supply and display of the props within the exhibition.

Thanks are also extended to all those involved in the Blue Skies project – the initial nationwide consultation carried out by Te Papa - and the subsequent survey.