Association of Performing Arts of India (APAI)

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 remains a spiritual art form.  It is also the oldest written music in the world.  The first evidence of written music -- for example, musical notes -- comes from the Vedas, Indian sacred documents written more than 4,000 years ago.  In spite of such a rich heritage, Indian music, particularly Indian classical music, though 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 United States.  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 multicultural and world music.  Our work is a pioneering effort that we hope will lead to enriching the cultural scope of all residents in South Florida.