Inspired by the traditional all-night concerts along India’s Ganges River, Sun to Stars evokes the traditional durbar and bethak-style concerts where performers and audiences interact in an informal setting to create a positive artistic experience. The 2007 Festival featured some of New York’s top South Asian performing artists, including Bharat Natyam dancer Krithika Rajagopalan, South Indian vocalist Shobana Raghavan, the Parul Shah Dance Company, tabla player Narendra Budhakar, sitar player Ravi Rao, vocalist and musician K.S. Resmi, and percussionist N. Scott Robinson among others. With a backdrop defined by both natural and urban elements, the performers present work that grapples with the environment, be it through mythological folktales or a particular raga connected to nature.
The Sun to Stars festival is solar-powered by the energy collected by the photovoltaic panels on the Solar 1 roof. The event also features a market place that includes regional South Asian cuisine from local chefs, Indian style seating with floor rugs and cushions, and information about important local South Asian and environmental nonprofit organizations.
Free to the public, Sun to Stars draws a diverse crowd, including New York’s large South Asian community, local residents, music and dance enthusiasts of all kinds, activists, families, and college students.
