New Zealand students learn Kathak for arts contest

A group of girl students in New Zealand has learned the Indian classical dance Kathak as part of a wearable arts contest that draws big sponsors from around the country's North Island region, media reported.

The group of girls from Cambridge High School (CHS) in Waipa district showed commitment by attending Kathak sessions held every day after school for two months, stuff.co.nz quoted teacher Shivani Kant as saying on Thursday.

"It was quite challenging as the girls had never had any exposure beforehand to Indian classical dancing," she added.

The girls performed as models for Zoe Beck, a designer from Tauranga city. The show was held at the Tokoroa Events Centre on August 14.

"An evening that might linger in our minds for a very very long time," said Gayatri Romila Varma in a Facebook post.

Kant has been choreographing dances for the wearable arts competition and a range of other festivals for many years now.

She said her dances in the past have attracted a variety of cultures, including Maori, Cook Islanders, South Africans, New Zealanders and Europeans.