About Prayas Theatre
Celebrating over two decades of South Asian theatrical arts in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our Mission
Prayas Theatre exists to celebrate, promote, and advance South Asian theatrical arts in Aotearoa New Zealand. Through professional-quality productions, artist development, and community engagement, we bridge cultures and create spaces for stories that need to be told.
Our Vision
A New Zealand where South Asian performing arts are a vibrant, visible, and valued part of the cultural landscape.
Our Values
- Inclusive — Open, welcoming, and accessible to South Asian creatives from all walks of life
- Empowering — Brave, honest, and authentic. Telling groundbreaking stories that move beyond stereotypes
- Relevant — Reflecting and inspiring sociopolitical and cultural views of society
- Collaborative — Forging partnerships and leading the way as transformative pioneers
- Community-focused — Powered by, and for, the community
Two Decades of Stories
Founded in Auckland over 20 years ago, Prayas Theatre began as a small group of passionate artists determined to bring South Asian stories to New Zealand audiences. What started as community-driven performances has grown into one of Auckland's most respected independent theatre companies. Over two decades, we have produced 13+ productions, supported hundreds of artists, and welcomed thousands of audience members into our world of theatre.
In 2025, we celebrated our 20th anniversary with Pitara — A Box of Memories, a three-night celebration at TAPAC that played to near-capacity audiences and brought together artists from across our history.
Now, as we look to the next 20 years, Prayas is in a new phase — a relaunch with a refreshed committee, new energy, and an ambitious vision for the future of South Asian performing arts in Aotearoa.
Our Journey
20 Years at a Glance
Prayas is Born
Founded in Auckland by a small group of passionate artists determined to bring South Asian stories to New Zealand audiences.
Bauls of Bengal
Our earliest production, bringing Bengali folk tradition to Aotearoa stages.
Random Acts of Christmas
"Beyond the Land of Hattamala" — 6 days, 12 shows. Prayas proves there's an audience for South Asian theatre.
Ganga
A production exploring identity and belonging through the lens of the sacred river.
Dacoits at Diwali
Community engagement grows. Our biggest gallery of production photos to date.
Samaroh: The Great Indian Carnival
A celebration of South Asian culture that expands our reach beyond traditional theatre.
First World Problems
Prayas debuts at Basement Theatre. A new generation of South Asian voices hits the Auckland stage.
A Fine Balance & FWP 2.0
Two major productions in one year. Adapted from Rohinton Mistry's novel, plus FWP returns with 21 artists.
YĀTRĀ & Arohan
Prayas adapts to COVID with innovative formats. The journey continues despite lockdowns.
First World Problems 3.0
New homegrown writing. Works written during lockdown investigating gender, relationships, and intergenerational conflict.
Dhaba on Devon Avenue
TAPAC season. Broadway World calls it "a passionate and eloquent drama." Returns to Waiheke Island in 2023.
Tiffin Box
21 artists. 11 pieces. A smorgasbord of South Asian performance at Basement Theatre.
Pitara — A Box of Memories
20th anniversary celebration. Three near-sold-out nights at TAPAC. Audiences moved to tears and left in splits.
The Next Chapter
New committee, new energy, new website. Planning for the next 20 years of South Asian theatre in Aotearoa.
Our Team
The people behind Prayas Theatre.
Honorary President
Amit Ohdedar
Co-Founder & Honorary President
Executive Committee
Sudeepta Vyas
Co-Founder · Member since 2005
Ahi Karunaharan
Member since 2011
Nona Shedde
Member since 2012
Rishabh Kapoor
Member since 2015
Namrata Mankame-Shanbag
Member since 2025
Tushar Kandari
Member since 2025
Indiver Nagpal
Member since 2025
Our Founders
The visionaries who started it all.
Amit Ohdedar
Co-founder & Honorary President
Amit Ohdedar co-founded Prayas Theatre NZ in 2005 with a vision to bring South Asian theatre to New Zealand audiences. Originally from Kolkata, Amit arrived in Auckland in 1994 and has spent three decades building bridges between Indian theatre and Kiwi culture. An active theatre director, he has helmed productions including Tagore's Kingdom of Cards and Shahid Nadeem's Dara. Now in an advisory role, he continues to mentor the next generation of South Asian artists in Aotearoa.
Sudeepta Vyas
Co-founder
Sudeepta Vyas co-founded Prayas Theatre NZ in 2005, helping grow it from a grassroots initiative into the country's most enduring South Asian community theatre company. The steady operational force behind two decades of productions, Sudeepta is proudest of the accessible, community-rooted space Prayas has created — where South Asian voices are heard with honesty, boldness, and warmth. To every artist she has mentored, she is simply Sudeepta Di — the theatre-obsessed didi they always wished they'd had.
Also among the founders
- Sanjit Dutta Founding Member
- Nilanjan Ghoshal Founding Member
- Aloke Ray Founding Member
- Sanjay Bhowmick Founding Member
- Rati Bhowmick Founding Member
With Thanks To
Prayas Theatre gratefully acknowledges the support of our funding partners.
