Indian Diaspora in Australia documented through photography and oral histories
Photographs and oral history interviews documenting the Indian-Australian community are now online.
We asked Australians with Indian heritage to help us build our collection. The Indian-Australian community is a significant part of Australia's multicultural culture. The collection captures diverse stories and voices through a mix of material.
Lisa Maree Williams, Hasya Martha, Praveen Martha, Kalpana Manda and Hasini Martha pose outside their home, decorated with lights during annual Diwali celebrations, Nirimba Fields, Blacktown, New South Wales, 31 October, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3493317874
Lisa Maree Williams, Hasya Martha, Praveen Martha, Kalpana Manda and Hasini Martha pose outside their home, decorated with lights during annual Diwali celebrations, Nirimba Fields, Blacktown, New South Wales, 31 October, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3493317874
Alana Holmberg, Shanmugapriya Ramachandran throwing rice into the pongal pot as part of the ceremony during Pongal celebrations at Harmony Hall in Darwin, 27 January, 2025, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3627651559
Alana Holmberg, Shanmugapriya Ramachandran throwing rice into the pongal pot as part of the ceremony during Pongal celebrations at Harmony Hall in Darwin, 27 January, 2025, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3627651559
Navin Sam Regi, The crowd celebrates as various colours of gulal is thrown in the air in Brisbane, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3318622784
Navin Sam Regi, The crowd celebrates as various colours of gulal is thrown in the air in Brisbane, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3318622784
Navin Sam Regi, Portrait of Hardik with gulal on his face at Holi Festival, Victoria Park, Brisbane, Queensland, 24 March, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3318621389
Navin Sam Regi, Portrait of Hardik with gulal on his face at Holi Festival, Victoria Park, Brisbane, Queensland, 24 March, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3318621389
Aishah Kenton, Bollydance Dipti dancers taking a selfie at the Indian Film Festival in Federation Square, Melbourne, Victoria, 17 August, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3428627828
Aishah Kenton, Bollydance Dipti dancers taking a selfie at the Indian Film Festival in Federation Square, Melbourne, Victoria, 17 August, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3428627828
Aishah Kenton, Folk Lovers Academy group at the Indian Film Festival in Federation Square, Melbourne, Victoria, 17 August, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3428628784
Aishah Kenton, Folk Lovers Academy group at the Indian Film Festival in Federation Square, Melbourne, Victoria, 17 August, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3428628784
Kris Kerehona, Two women performing a Kuchipudi dance at the AusIndia Fair, Exhibition Park in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 16 March, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3314159294
Kris Kerehona, Two women performing a Kuchipudi dance at the AusIndia Fair, Exhibition Park in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 16 March, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3314159294
Sean Davey, Anika Tadakamadla dancing in traditional dress at the 78th anniversary of Indian Independence Day celebrations organised by the Indian Association of Bendigo Inc., Bendigo, Victoria, 17 August 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3427888107
Sean Davey, Anika Tadakamadla dancing in traditional dress at the 78th anniversary of Indian Independence Day celebrations organised by the Indian Association of Bendigo Inc., Bendigo, Victoria, 17 August 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3427888107
Aishah Kenton, Devotees and guests viewing the Annakut offering at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Taylor, Australian Capital Territory, 3 November, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3488920875
Aishah Kenton, Devotees and guests viewing the Annakut offering at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Taylor, Australian Capital Territory, 3 November, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3488920875
Navin Sam Regi, The AIMQ committee members posing at the Eid Milap Dinner for the Association of Indian Muslims Queensland Inc., Durack, Queensland, 13 April, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3330876473
Navin Sam Regi, The AIMQ committee members posing at the Eid Milap Dinner for the Association of Indian Muslims Queensland Inc., Durack, Queensland, 13 April, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3330876473
Photos commissioned for the project capture cultural events, sports, and gatherings.
Joseph Kennedy, Player flicking the 'striker' whilst competing in a game of carrom during a fundraising tournament by the Maharashtra Mandir Australian Inc (MMAI), Playpoint, Seven Hills, New South Wales, 2025, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3690864627
Joseph Kennedy, Player flicking the 'striker' whilst competing in a game of carrom during a fundraising tournament by the Maharashtra Mandir Australian Inc (MMAI), Playpoint, Seven Hills, New South Wales, 2025, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3690864627
Joseph Kennedy, Joelle Bura and Archana Kulthe of the Sydney Jets taking timeout during a fundraising tournament by the Maharashtra Mandir Australian Inc (MMAI), Playpoint, Seven Hills, New South Wales, 2025, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3690869771
Joseph Kennedy, Joelle Bura and Archana Kulthe of the Sydney Jets taking timeout during a fundraising tournament by the Maharashtra Mandir Australian Inc (MMAI), Playpoint, Seven Hills, New South Wales, 2025, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3690869771
Joseph Kennedy, Players versing the Sydney Jets in a badminton match during a fundraising tournament by the Maharashtra Mandir Australian Inc (MMAI), Playpoint, Seven Hills, New South Wales, 2025, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3690869158
Joseph Kennedy, Players versing the Sydney Jets in a badminton match during a fundraising tournament by the Maharashtra Mandir Australian Inc (MMAI), Playpoint, Seven Hills, New South Wales, 2025, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3690869158
Joseph Kennedy, Parag Patki taking a shot in a game of snooker during a fundraising tournament by the Maharashtra Mandir Australian Inc (MMAI), Playpoint, Seven Hills, New South Wales, 2025, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3690865029
Joseph Kennedy, Parag Patki taking a shot in a game of snooker during a fundraising tournament by the Maharashtra Mandir Australian Inc (MMAI), Playpoint, Seven Hills, New South Wales, 2025, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3690865029
One event was the Maharashtra Mandir Australia Inc. (MMAI) Fundraising Sports Event, held on May 18, 2025, at Playpoint Seven Hills. The event featured a carrom tournament, alongside badminton and snooker. Originating in India, carrom competitions have taken place since the early 20th century. The sport continues to be popular throughout India and Southeast Asia.
Lisa Maree Williams, Business owner Rahul Rathore poses at the entrance to RaShi's fashion boutique on Wigram street in Little India in the district of Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3493315341
Lisa Maree Williams, Business owner Rahul Rathore poses at the entrance to RaShi's fashion boutique on Wigram street in Little India in the district of Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3493315341
Lisa Maree Williams, Business owner Tarun Patel poses at NumNums Sweets serving traditional Indian sweets on Wigram street in Little India in the district of Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3493315724
Lisa Maree Williams, Business owner Tarun Patel poses at NumNums Sweets serving traditional Indian sweets on Wigram street in Little India in the district of Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3493315724
Lisa Maree Williams, Fashion assistant Aarju Neupane poses at RaShi's fashion boutique on Wigram street in Little India in the district of Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3493315563
Lisa Maree Williams, Fashion assistant Aarju Neupane poses at RaShi's fashion boutique on Wigram street in Little India in the district of Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3493315563
Lisa Maree Williams, Service staff member Ihtesham Mohammed prepares tables ahead of service at Antera Grand Feast restaurant in Little India in the district of Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3493316201
Lisa Maree Williams, Service staff member Ihtesham Mohammed prepares tables ahead of service at Antera Grand Feast restaurant in Little India in the district of Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3493316201
Lisa Maree Williams, Cooks prepare traditional Indian sweets at Jaipur Sweets restaurant in Little India in the district of Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3493315012
Lisa Maree Williams, Cooks prepare traditional Indian sweets at Jaipur Sweets restaurant in Little India in the district of Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3493315012
Lisa Maree Williams, Chef Ekta Puhal is captured during prep-time in the kitchen at Antera Grand Feast restaurant in Little India in the district of Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3493316122
Lisa Maree Williams, Chef Ekta Puhal is captured during prep-time in the kitchen at Antera Grand Feast restaurant in Little India in the district of Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3493316122
Other photographs show the everyday lives and businesses of Indian Australian communities around the country. The Little India precinct in Harris Park, Sydney, is home to many Indian eateries, fashion boutiques, stores, and businesses. These images show some of the precinct’s restaurants, sweet shops, and a fashion store.
Explore images from the Little India precinct in Trove
Interviews with the community
Through oral history interviews the life stories of Australians with Indian heritage were recorded. Many of the interviews can be listened to online through Trove. Others can be requested though our catalogue.
Navin Sam Regi, Portrait of Umesh Chandra OAM in his Australian Indian Radio studio during an oral history interview for the Indian diaspora in Australia collecting project, Brisbane, Queensland, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3293235238
Navin Sam Regi, Portrait of Umesh Chandra OAM in his Australian Indian Radio studio during an oral history interview for the Indian diaspora in Australia collecting project, Brisbane, Queensland, 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3293235238
We continue to work with the community to grow and diversify our collection. Search our catalogue for more items, such as ephemera, manuscripts, posters and books, as they become available online.
You can also discover webpages and digital newspapers that have been archived in the Australian Web Archive.
More to explore
National Library of Australia staff looking at an album of paintings of Indian native costume on mica.
Mandy Lamont, Remy Blair riding in the All-Mountain Enduro race during the Cannonball Mountain Bike Festival, high alpine Panorama trail, Thredbo, New South Wales, 2025, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3613430477
Mark Tipple, Kabaddi match between Brimbank Lions and WK Sydney during the 36th Australian Sikh Games in Adelaide, 29-31 March 2024, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3340629287
Ellis Rowan, Chrysanthemums, ca. 1890, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-138089294
Australian artist Ellis Rowan primarily worked in watercolour and gouache, and is best known for painting Australian native flowers. She caused a stir at the 1888–89 Centennial International Exhibition in Melbourne when her painting Chrysanthemums won First Order of Merit and Gold Medal. This similar painting, depicting the same type of flower, is a more recent addition to the Library's vast Rowan Collection, the bulk of which was acquired for the nation for £5,000 in 1923.