The Chai Session at Crave Cafe in Morningside marked the first event for the Aunty's House collective. Photo: Supplied/ Abigail Dellavo
"I wanted to create the representation I've been waiting to see."
Those are the words of Amita Kala, founder of Aunty's House - a new collective focused on celebrating and uplifting the South Asian diaspora in New Zealand.
The kaupapa of Aunty's House lives in the name itself - envision a place to come together, enjoy good company, and indulge in the ultimate comforts of a cup of chai and spicy snacks, and you'll have the essence of it. A space that honours South Asian heritage.
For Kala, the collective is the product of years of dreaming and a true labour of love.
"I was exactly like the rest of us, chatting with friends for years about how cool it would be if x-y-z. Seeing Daytimers in the UK champion South Asian DJs and wishing I could go to something like that … it's something I'd been yearning for."
The desire for a dedicated space was always strong for Kala - she said growing up, there were not many opportunities to connect with the diaspora that felt authentic.
"The only time I've been in a room surrounded by brown people has been super cultural events, and as someone who is non-religious, loud, queer, tattooed and fat, that has never been a safe space for me."
The event was aimed squarely at South Asian New Zealanders, with allies also welcome. Photo: Supplied/ Abigail Dellavo
The idea had been brewing for a while - but it wasn't until 2022 that things really kicked into gear. It was the year Yung Singh came to town.
"He's this amazing DJ - part of the Boiler Room scene in London - and when he came over, I was asked to engage my community [to promote the event]. I was like, 'oh my gosh, cool, this is great. His branding has mangoes on it, he walks this earth with a turban, he obviously is about the culture, they're about the culture.' But after I got there, I realised it wasn't about that. It was just like, 'this is a guy who's really famous and is gonna sell tickets so we're bringing him over'.
"Seeing that promoter do the absolute bare minimum of uplifting our culture, I clicked that it needs to be brown people organising these events. And I realised I can bring these things to life and integrate it in a really safe way."
Performers showcased work influenced by a wide range of cultures and styles. Photo: Supplied/ Abigail Dellavo
Kala launched the Aunty's House Instagram in June, outlining the collective's objectives and quickly capturing the attention of like-minded South Asians online. Then in July, she held her first in-person event at Crave Cafe in the Auckland suburb of Morningside: Chai Session, a night centring around music, culture and connection.
It featured acts like Delhi's Shweta Tomar, Mumbai's Banat, Egyptian artist Ahmed and Malaysia-born Reshma Martin, who performed songs and spoke poetic words as a captivated audience watched on.
Photo: Supplied/ Abigail Dellavo
Kala said it was important for her to launch the collective in person.
"A lot can shift online, but seeing us in a room is powerful. It takes all of us coming together to create change. The purpose of doing this is for us not to get lost in European 'Kiwi' culture - we don't have to tolerate the stereotyping and mispronunciation of our names.
"It's the healing and excitement of watching each other shine … that power of just seeing somebody that looks like you take up space and love themselves, it really gives you permission to do the same."
The event was backed by a tiered ticketing system and conditions of entry that highlighted the collective's kaupapa. Allies paid more, priority groups paid the median, and there were unwaged tickets too, to ensure the event was accessible.
For Kala, it was about making clear who the event was intended for - South Asians, people of colour, the rainbow community, and all who resonated with its cause.
"If you're an ally and you believe in the kaupapa, you're absolutely welcome. [The ticketing system] was about understanding colonial impacts and all the things that put us in financial differences.
"And I made those safer space agreements because I needed people to know from the beginning that this space is about love, respect, and pride."
Sweets and snacks laid out for attendees Photo: Supplied/ Abigail Dellavo
Kala believed a tide was turning in the way people perceived South Asians in the mainstream, pointing to the success of shows like Never Have I Ever and the work of Auckland-born Anita Chhiba as examples of representation the diaspora had been longing for.
"The energy has been in the air for sure. The masses are clocking onto our sound, our style and it's important for South Asians to be part of this movement. And I'm eager to move with the community.
"The DMs from people has been the most beautiful thing - people sharing what it means to them, how they have been yearning for South Asian friends, for that sense of solidarity and mutual understanding of life experiences. Being in that space was wonderful and warm and validating.
"I had so much healing creating it."
