Association of Performing Arts of India
Mission - To Promote and Preserve Indian Classical Music and Dance and educate people of all ages in South Florida, including young people of Indian descent, about Indian traditional arts and culture as a living heritage for all.
Driven by their passion for Indian Classical Music, Bharti and Dr. Deenbandhu Chokshi were hosting house concerts of Indian Classical music for friends for many years, but one day it came to them that Indian Classical music is so ancient, "we need to let the public enjoy our music." And, so, along with a few friends, on June 5, 1998, they founded a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the Association of the Performing Arts of India.
Based in Pembroke Pines, Florida, the Association of the Performing Arts of India (APAI) was formed to preserve and promote Indian Classical music and dance through concerts, classes and lecture-demonstrations of Indian Classical music and dance. Since 1998, APAI has been the sole organization in the South Florida region to host artists consistently of major international stature within the realm of Indian Classical music and dance, while also serving the needs of the local community through educational outreach.
In the last twenty four years, in furtherance of our goal to educate our community about the Indian Classical music and dance, APAI has presented eighty concerts and many lecture-demonstrations to schools, libraries, Universities and community colleges. January through April 2009, we offered a course on Indian Classical Dance - "Bharat Natyam" - at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, 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.
