Among those performing will be the youngest ever contestant of 'The Voice Australia', Janaki Easwar, pop singer Pav Dharia, hip hop artist L-FRESH The LION, and Punjabi singer and dancer Parvyn Kaur Singh.
First introduced by Mayor of Liverpool Ned Mannoun in 2013, 'Starry Sari Night' aims to provide a holistic experience of South Asian culture, both traditional and modern, through cuisine, fashion, dance, music and art.
Highlights:
- The three-day-long 'Starry Sari Night' festival returns to the Liverpool CBD on 20 May after a six-year gap
- 'The Voice' contestant Janaki Easwar, pop singer Pav Dharia, hip hop artist L-FRESH The LION, and Punjabi singer and dancer Parvyn Kaur Singh will all perform
- Indian is one of the most common ancestries in Liverpool
In a media statement, Mr Mannoun said, “We want to deliver an immersive cultural experience in the Liverpool CBD, transporting attendees to the vibrant streets that epitomise South Asia over three days."
Indian is one of the most common ancestries in Liverpool. According toalmost 6.5 per cent of the local population nominated Indian as one of their ancestries in 2016, representing a rise of 0.7 per cent from 2011.
The event returns after an absence of six years to boost the local economy and showcase the many aspects of South Asian culture.
'Starry Sari Night' attendees can also enjoy market stalls offering authentic clothing, jewellery and other items. Source: Supplied by Liverpool City Council
Rakesh Kumar, the owner of an Indian fashion store on George Street in Liverpool, told SBS Hindi that such events are important for multicultural appeal, social cohesion and creating a platform for local vendors and businesses to promote themselves.
"We have participated in this fest before and saw a good response for our business. I am sure this event will not only be good for all the local vendors here but also for the Liverpool city council which is a hub for Indian fashion stores," Mr Kumar opines.
Rakesh Kumar, an owner of an Indian fashion store in Sydney. Source: Supplied by Rakesh Kumar
Apart from music and dance shows, festival will also feature cultural workshops, stalls selling food and drinks, and over a dozen fashion shows.
Navid Diwan, another store owner who opened his first Indian fashion outlet in 1992, said the biggest highlight of the festival will be the fashion.
"Over 30 local stores on George Street will showcase their best designs from India on the ramp during the fest," he said.
"Liverpool can be transformed into the biggest Indian hub in Australia and this event can emerge as a mainstream cultural event," he said.
'Starry Sari Night' will feature a dozen fashion shows during the fest including a Sari fashion show. Source: Supplied by Liverpool City Council
Mr Mannoun said for many attendees the event will be an introduction to a new, interesting and ever-evolving culture.
“For some members of the community, this event will hold a degree of nostalgia capturing the sights, smells, and tastes of their beloved homeland – from India and Sri Lanka to Pakistan and Nepal to Bhutan and Bangladesh," he added.
“We are confident people will want to return to George Street months and months after the celebrations are over allowing it assumes its rightful place as one of Sydney’s most unique streets and a must-visit destination for South Asian food and fashion,” he added.
The event, funded through the state government's Festival of Place Open Streets Program, has also partnered with Fabrics of Multicultural Australia to organise a sari fashion show.
