Mission Statement:
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 and kathak). 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.