About Samskriti
Samskriti is a Sanskrit word meaning
cultural tradition.
Samskriti was established in 1994 with the vision of becoming an efficient cultural
conduit between the East and the West, by bringing the best of Indian fine
arts from around the world to Houston audiences, and by promoting cross-cultural
programs involving Indian and American artists from different ethnic backgrounds.
In its twelve years of operation so far, Samskriti has more than amply fulfilled
it mission.
Samskriti has thus far presented numerous major shows from different parts of
the world, has commissioned and produced many of its own shows, and, in addition,
as part of its educational outreach program, has organized seminars and workshops
in traditional Indian classical and contemporary art forms by eminent scholars and
artists from India, Canada, UK and the US. Samskriti is also a regular annual presenter
of unique multimedia programs at the Miller Outdoor Theater, with free admission
to the public.
Samskriti’s greatest achievements to date are the two historical three-day International
Conferences in Dance it presented in Houston, the first of their kind in North America,
celebrating Indian Dance in the Diaspora: Traditions & Innovations (2001), and
Kuchipudi
Dance in North America (2003), the latter funded by a grant from the National Endowment
for the Arts. This was a major effort on Samskriti’s part to reach a broader segment
of the community at large, not merely in Houston, but all over the country, and
this was achieved by inviting scholars, dance historians, choreographers and performers
from India, Canada, UK and the US, and publicizing the event to arts communities
all over the world.
Samskriti believes that art has no geographical, linguistic, social or religious
barriers, and has proved this by producing collaborative programs with dancers
and musicians from Europe, Africa, Mexico, South America, Pakistan and the
Middle East.
Today, thanks to a dedicated Board, a visionary Artistic Director, and an excellent
team of art-loving volunteers, Samskriti enjoys an excellent reputation as a leading
multicultural arts organization that brings world class artists and arts events
to Houston, and firmly abides by Agnes de Mille’s philosophy, that “Everything passes;
Art alone, enduring, stays to us”.
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