The
Association of Performing Arts of India
Mission The Association
of Performing Arts of India is a federal exempt organization
501(c)(3)31-1613301 founded in June 1998. All our committee
members and Board of Directors are working as volunteers.
Our goal is to promote Indian classical music and dance through
lecture-demonstration and concerts. There are classes given
in sitar (a stringed instrument), tabla (Percussion) and dance
(bharatnatyam). We are located in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
 Organizational
History
The Association of Performing Arts of India
(APAI) is a 50l(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Pembroke
Pines, Florida. APAI was founded in 1998 to preserve and promote
ancient Indian Classical Music and Dance. Indian music, despite
much evolution and development maintains many of its original
characteristics and has been preserved in an unbroken tradition
for many millennia. It is based on a profoundly spiritual
philosophy, and to this day it is a spiritual art form. It
is also the oldest written music in the world. The first evidence
of written music, i.e. musical notes, comes from the Vedas,
Indian sacred documents written more than 4000 years ago.
Inspite of such a rich heritage, Indian music, particularly
Indian classical music, while flourishing in India, is still
little known in the rest of the world.
The primary purpose of APAI is to present this art in its
various modes in the U.S. The secondary purpose is to educate
the South Florida community, young and old, about Indian music
and dance through lecture-demonstrations, classes and concerts.
Approximately 100,000 people of Indian or Indian/Caribbean
origin reside in South Florida. Many of these have a strong
interest in their cultural heritage. Also, many westerners
have a growing interest in multicultures and world music.
Our work is a pioneering effort that we hope will lead to
enriching the cultural scope of all residents of Southern
Florida.
Long-Term Goals and Objectives
- To present an annual series of Indian classical music
concerts for the general public.
- To present educational programs for schoolchildren and
to acquaint them with the artistry and cultural traditions
of Indian classical music.
- To provide opportunities for South Florida residents of
Indian heritage to come together to promote and express
their cultural heritage.
- To offer workshops for musicians (both Indian and Non-Indian)
to learn Classical Indian musical repertoire and techniques.
- To develop a financial support base to sustain and expand
APAI activities.
Program History The Association
of Performing Arts of India's inaugural concert was held on
November 7, 1998 at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School
in Parkland, featuring vocalist Ustad Rashid Khan, Samar Saha
on tabla and Sardindu Ghosh on harmonium. Subsequently, the
Association sponsored a program featuring numerous local classical
Indian artists. The concert showcased both North (Hindustani)
and South (Carnatic) styles of music including performance
of vocal, sitar and flute music. The Association has consistently
strived and succeeded in presenting internationally acclaimed
artists of the highest caliber. APAI has featured renowned
sitar and surbahar master Ustad Irshad Khan, vocalist Shubha
Mudgal, whose credits include many film soundtracks, female
sitar virtuoso Manju Mehta, a student of Ravi Shankar and
numerous others. In addition we have pioneered in cross cultural
cooperation and understanding by sponsoring a fusion concert
of Indian and Flamenco music and dance. |
