New Zealand to Celebrate 75 Years of India–New Zealand Relations with Grand Bollywood Concert Featuring 90 Performers

‘New Zealand Sings Bollywood – 90s with 90’ will bring together 90 singers and musicians from diverse cultural backgrounds in Auckland on February 27, 2027, celebrating India’s iconic 1990s film music and the enduring friendship between the two nations.

Auckland, New Zealand: In a unique celebration of Bollywood music, cultural diversity and international friendship, New Zealand is set to host a grand musical event featuring 90 professional singers and musicians from different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. Titled New Zealand Sings Bollywood – 90s with 90, the concert will take place on February 27, 2027, at the Victory Convention Centre in Auckland, marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and New Zealand.

Presented by Sounds of India Charitable Trust, Bendith Media and Aaria Events, the production aims to bring together New Zealand’s established musical institutions, professional artists and performers on one stage to celebrate the timeless appeal of Bollywood music. The concert will pay tribute to the unforgettable melodies of Hindi cinema’s 1990s era through a combination of choral performances, orchestral arrangements and contemporary musical interpretations.

The event carries particular significance as India and New Zealand mark 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2027. Through music, the organisers aim to celebrate the longstanding cultural connections between the two countries and highlight how Bollywood songs have travelled across geographical boundaries to become part of the musical memories of people from different nationalities and generations. The central idea is to bring New Zealand together in a collective musical tribute to India, demonstrating the power of music to connect communities beyond language, ethnicity and cultural differences.

Unlike conventional Bollywood concerts, 90s with 90 is being conceptualised as a large-scale collaborative musical production. The 90-member ensemble will include singers, choral performers, orchestral musicians and independent artists representing different cultural backgrounds. The production will feature Viva Voce – Auckland Chamber Choir, St Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra and established independent musicians, creating a distinctive musical experience that combines Indian film melodies with international choral and orchestral traditions.

The musical arrangements are being developed by Mumbai-based music arranger Lavine Da Costa, whose professional associations include prominent Bollywood music directors and composers such as Ajay–Atul, Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy and Salim–Sulaiman, among others. His involvement is expected to bring a contemporary orchestral and choral dimension to some of the most memorable songs of Hindi cinema’s golden musical decade of the 1990s.

Speaking about the concept, Ashish Ramakrishnan, Event Director and Trustee of Sounds of India Charitable Trust, said that Bollywood music has a remarkable ability to connect people irrespective of their cultural backgrounds, languages or geographical locations. He explained that many popular Hindi film songs carry memories that transcend generations and have become part of shared celebrations and personal experiences across the world.

Ramakrishnan further highlighted that the objective of 90s with 90 is to celebrate not only Bollywood’s musical legacy but also the multicultural spirit of New Zealand. With the 75th anniversary of India–New Zealand diplomatic relations approaching, the concert offers an opportunity to recognise the people-to-people connections that continue to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

The organisers expect approximately 2,300 people to attend the concert, including members of the Indian diaspora, New Zealand residents, representatives of different ethnic communities, young audiences, community leaders and music enthusiasts. The promotional campaign will extend across digital platforms, social media, radio, print and community networks in both New Zealand and India, aiming to reach a diverse international audience.

Beyond its musical and cultural significance, the event also incorporates a charitable initiative. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Sistema Aotearoa, an organisation that provides free, high-quality music education to children from under-resourced communities in South Auckland. Through ensemble-based music education, the programme works to develop children’s musical abilities, confidence, leadership, discipline and sense of belonging. This charitable association reflects the organisers’ intention to connect cultural celebrations with meaningful community contributions and wider social impact.

Bollywood music has long enjoyed a global following, particularly among the Indian diaspora, but its popularity extends well beyond Indian communities. The melodies, rhythms and emotional storytelling of Hindi film songs have found audiences across different countries, making Bollywood an important element of India’s cultural presence internationally. The Auckland concert seeks to take this cultural connection further by bringing together performers who may come from different musical and cultural traditions but share an appreciation for Indian cinema music.

For New Zealand, the production represents an opportunity to celebrate multiculturalism through a collaborative artistic platform, while for Indian audiences it highlights the international influence of Bollywood and its ability to inspire cultural participation beyond national boundaries. By combining professional musicianship, community engagement and a charitable purpose, New Zealand Sings Bollywood – 90s with 90 aims to create an experience that goes beyond a conventional musical performance.

As preparations gather momentum for the February 2027 event, the organisers hope to establish a memorable milestone in multicultural music and India–New Zealand cultural relations. With 90 performers coming together to celebrate the music of Bollywood’s 1990s, the concert promises to be a distinctive tribute to the melodies, memories and friendships that connect people across nations.

Event Details

Event: New Zealand Sings Bollywood – 90s with 90
Date: Saturday, February 27, 2027
Venue: Victory Convention Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
Presented by: Sounds of India Charitable Trust, Bendith Media and Aaria Events
Performers: 90 professional singers and musicians
Musical Arranger: Lavine Da Costa, Mumbai
Charitable Beneficiary: Sistema Aotearoa
Website: https://nzsingsbollywood.com
Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/ (Search for New Zealand Sings Bollywood)