Mission..

Our mission is to create and present performing arts and cultural experiences that globalize themes rooted in Indian culture, conveying the universal messages of tolerance, peace, and unity through Staged Productions, Arts-in-Education, Community Events, Festivals, Workshops, and more.

Arts-in-Education

Surati’s Arts-in-Education  program educates students on India's festivals, their history, significance, and modern impact. Through dance, music, and storytelling, it fosters cultural appreciation and understanding. Covering festivals like Diwali, Holi, and Navratri, the program brings traditions to life, making India’s rich heritage accessible and relevant to all.

Tyohaar

“TYOHAAR” (meaning ‘festival’) - Surati’s original production on the diverse Holidays or Festivals of India narrated through traditional dance, music and drama.  About Tyohaar: India has a rich cultural heritage boasting a diversity of festivals, each of which originates from different states, culture and belief and is steeped in history and legend. Tyohaar,  traces the origin and evolution of some of the most widely celebrated festivals of India through traditional dance, drama, music and audio-visual support.​

Showreel of Ramaavan - A Musical
The India Tour - 2024  

Holi Hai 2024 Colorwalk & Festival

Photos from Holi Hai 2024

Surati's annual color walk and festival Holi Hai 2024 is a wrap.  We have a huge turn out on a beautiful day on June 15.  We would like to thank our sponsors, vendors, volunteers, supporters and all those who came out and supported this community festival. True to Surati's motto, "when everyone is colorful no one is different" we continue to bring artists from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds together on one platform in the spirit of collaboration and sharing.  Our attendees were also very diverse... residents from 12 states, from different socio-cultural backgrounds, and from various walks of life, partook in the festivities, which started with the walk from Hoboken Pier A Park along the waterfront to dancing Exchange Place in Jersey City. We hope our attendees were able to celebrate and enjoy with their friends and families. We hope that you continue to share your feedback and help make this unique community festival more diverse, more inclusive, bigger and better. ​

Surati's commitment to social uplift through performing arts 

The opportunity for underprivileged children and communities to work with and train under artists from the United States while also delving deep into a literary masterpiece like the Ramayana was be groundbreaking in many ways. Presenting the story Ramayana as Ramaavan - A Musical, blending Indian classical dance and music, opera, flamenco, contemporary, and jazz will provide children a unique 360 degree perspective of performing arts across genres, opportunities that are very rare especially for children in underprivileged communities... Learn More   

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Rimli Roy recipient of NJ State Council Fellowship Award

Rimli Roy, Surati Founder & Artistic Director  received the NJ State Council on the Arts 2024 Individual Artist Fellowship award. Ms Roy is a recipient in the Interdisciplinary category which uses two or more artistic forms from the categories listed for this award in alternate years. She is also a past recipient of the Folk Arts Apprenticeship award from the NJSCA and the Sunshine Award in 2023.  The NJ State Council on the Arts is pleased to share the  news that Ms Roy is among 76 artists selected from 692 eligible applicants in 6 artistic disciplines to be awarded a 2024 Individual Artist Fellowship.

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Reviews of Ramaavan 

Past Events...

Sitar & Sarod Concert - Surati Studios 

Diwali and Fall Festivals - Surati Studios 

Performance @ PAN AM Museum 

2025 programming made possible by, 

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Who we are...

Surati FPA’s mission is to create and present performing arts and cultural experiences that globalize themes rooted in Indian culture, that convey the universal message of equality, inclusion, and unity in diversity, through staged productions, arts-in-education, cultural festivals, and interactive workshops.

Since 2002, award-winning nonprofit Surati FPA led by Founder-Artistic Director Rimli Roy has performed at The Kennedy, Lincoln, and Alaska Centers for Performing Arts, Library of Congress, United Nations, Indian Consulate NY, and Reichhold Center(USVI) among others. Surati works relentlessly to create multidisciplinary artistic works, bring communities together through India-inspired, socially relevant festivals like Holi and Diwali, and opportunities for over 200 artists annually. Surati actively works with the under-served communities and provides arts programs for learners statewide. Its diverse performances, community outreach, and online events serve over 50,000 viewers annually.

Surati strives for artistic excellence and works with quality artists, administrators, and technicians who are culturally and ethnically diverse, including African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans as well as individuals with learning and physical disabilities. Surati brings its programming to the under-served communities including senior citizens and low-income communities. Surati also runs programs for youth and children and has provided scholarships to 50 low-income students.

Our audience is eclectic who gets to observe and enjoy their community’s representation at our events and performances. Representation consists of people from diverse socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Through our programming we try to educate communities about the history and evolution of Indian Performing Arts, sometimes creating partnerships with other art forms, while making it entertaining through dance music and theatre. Our programming appeals to almost all members of society, families, students, artists, among others who stand to benefit from our arts-in-edutainment presentations/productions.

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