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Overview
This scroll belonged to Aariel Naidu. Born in New Zealand to Fijian Indian parents who are Hindus, the mantra printed on the scroll is regularly recited as part of Aariel’s bedtime routine. It is one way the children practice their religion and learn Hindi which is an important part of family life.
The scroll is part of a group of objects collected to represent some of the key moments and everyday life of three year old Aariel Naidu. Aariel is a participant in Te Papa's collecting contemporary New Zealand childhood project, an ongoing project that includes children in the University of Auckland's Growing Up in New Zealand research.
The 2012 research report entitled Now We Are Born, found that many New Zealand parents sing songs or tell stories to their children at least once a day. But Aariel's experience of hearing a combination of Hindi and English in the home only represents 4% of the New Zealand population.