Arundhati Banerjee: Reshaping norms through dance, pageantry and giving back in Australia

(December 13, 2023) Arundhati Banerjee, the trailblazing Miss Teen Diamond Australia 2019, and the Lifetime Miss Diamond Ambassador shattered norms and made history as the first Indian-origin teenager to claim the prestigious title. Beyond pageantry and modelling, she champions causes, excels as an Indian classical dancer, and advocates for women’s rights and sustainability. Recognised as the ‘Emerging Leader (2020)’ by the South Australian Government, Arundhati has passionately fundraised to support individuals with Down syndrome. Rooted in her Indian heritage, the 20-year-old who is pursuing education at Griffith University in Australia, has made the Indian diaspora of the country proud by her accomplishments. 

As a fashion model, Arundhati has been on the cover pages of renowned magazines in Australia, the United States, India, and Africa. She has showcased her dancing talent  at numerous national and international festivals across Australia such as the OzAsia Festival, International Indian Film Festival in Melbourne, International Folkloric Festival to name a few.  

Arundhati Banerjee

Breaking barriers   

In 2019, Arundhati Banerjee became the first Indian teenager to win the Miss Teen Diamond Australia title. The Miss and Mr Diamond International & Australia goes beyond the conventional beauty pageant concept. It serves as a community hero initiative, aiming to establish a platform where individuals of all ages can fundraise and advocate for causes dear to them. Securing seven additional titles within the pageant, aside from claiming the overall title, Arundhati  became the first Indian-origin teenager to achieve this prestigious honour, all while balancing her commitments as a high school student during that time.   

“I went in with the purpose of just spreading love and gratitude and to gain some experience. I was very fortunate to win and I’m very happy that I’m able to say that I’m Miss teen Australia 2019,” she said in an interview. She was later selected as the Lifetime Miss Diamond Ambassador in 2021.  

Arundhati achieved another significant milestone in 2021 by securing a place among the top 30 contestants in the prestigious Australian Super Model of the Year (ASOTY) competition. “I joined it for the message that it conveys – the message of sisterhood, diversity and inclusivity and speaking about the issues of those who are discriminated on basis of colour and creed,” she said adding, “After weeks and months of selection process I was lucky and fortunate enough to be selected as one of the 30 contestants and work as a network of sisters for rebuilding the society as women working together instead of pitted against each other. That’s what attracted me to associate myself with the pageant.”  

Arundhati Banerjee

The emerging leader  

In a remarkable achievement, Arundhati who is also a trained Indian classical dancer and performer, was honoured with the ‘Emerging Leader (2020)’ award by the South Australian Government on Australia Day for her contribution in the fields of art and humanitarian services. While the youngster cherishes all her accomplishments, it is the prestigious Emerging Leader award in Australia that she is proudest of. “Being a woman of colour, getting that award was really very special to me and initially I couldn’t believe that I have really got it,” she remarked adding, “I want to open more doors for others to rise in life with my titles”. 

Modelling for giving back  

In the course of her journey in pageantry, the Global Indian has successfully fundraised more than AUD $3850 for the charitable organisation, emotion 21, dedicated to aiding young adults and children with Down syndrome. She is also associated with CanTeen, Cancer Council, and Foodbank. 

Arundhati serves as the brand ambassador for the boutique firm Bridal Fusion Mascia, aligning with her core values of inclusivity, diversity, and body positivity. Passionate about sustainability, she advocates for eco-friendly fashion and slow clothing through her partnership with South Australian brand NoRuYeLo, promoting a message of saying ‘No to Rubbish, Yes to Love.’ Additionally, she has been at the ramp for Lorna Jane at BU Fashion to support fundraising efforts for victims of domestic violence. Committed to giving back, she volunteered with the Rotary Club’s Cold Plunge initiative, dedicated to raising funds for the homeless. 

Arundhati Banerjee

Creating a mark   

Before securing the Miss Teen Diamond Australia title in 2019, Arundhati had triumphed as the winner of the Miss Glamour Genic-Supreme Talent competition in 2018. 

Recognised as a dedicated dancer and ‘Arttrepreneur,’ she is also the founder of the dance academy, AIDA Bharatanatyaved in Adelaide, South Australia. Proficient in three classical Indian dance forms – Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Odissi – Arundhati has tried to make these art forms popular. “I feel happy that through my dance I am able to showcase the beauty of my Indian roots and culture to a multicultural audience in Australia,” she remarked. 

Her expertise in Indian classical dance was honed under the tutelage of esteemed gurus, including the renowned Padmashree Shobana Chandra Kumar, an award-winning actress, dancer, and choreographer, from whom she learned Bharatanatyam. 

Since most of her gurus are based in India, Arundhati’s dance classes have mostly been on zoom or Skype. The youngster is grateful to her gurus’ patience in teaching her in online mode. However, since she had moved to Australia from India at the age of 11 owing to her father’s transfer, she had picked up the basics of dancing before migrating. 

Spreading positivity 

Arundhati looks at her achievements as a starting point for her greater goals. Her aim extends beyond personal success. The multi-talented youngster wants her efforts to positively impact the community and serve as inspiration, especially for young people, so that they get encouraged to aim higher.  

“I want to instigate change, build something meaningful, and leave a lasting impact, creating a legacy for future generations to surpass,” she says. 

Arundhati Banerjee

The fashion model believes in the inherent beauty of individuals regardless of their appearance – colour and body type. “Clothes fit you, you don’t fit the clothes,” she said, advocating the idea that clothes should complement one’s body rather than the other way around, especially when women are increasingly facing challenges finding clothes that suit them. 

In love with her ‘Indian-ness’ 

“I was born in India and spent the first 11 years of my life there before I moved to Australia,” tells Arundhati who embraces her ‘Indian-ness’ with élan, and ‘loves everything about India’. “My love for theatre, music and other forms of art stems from my cultural roots.” 

The Indian-origin youngster received recognition for her contributions to promoting art and multiculturalism, and was honoured with the Multicultural Award by the International Film & Entertainment Festival Australia at the New South Wales Parliament. Additionally, her impactful involvement in arts and fashion earned her the Highflyer Achiever – NRI Award at the Milestone Global Awards.

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