SRUTI is the only organization in the
five county area dedicated to consistently presenting Indian classical
music and dance programs. The immigrants from the Indian subcontinent
in this area, numbering more than (estimated) 6,000 families,
bring with them the rich cultural heritage of one of the oldest
continuous civilizations.
Indian classical music and dance are
among the most advanced and sophisticated art forms in the world.
By presenting these arts in a professional manner, SRUTI enhances
the cultural awareness of the region and enriches the multi-cultural
environment. SRUTI has earned a reputation for the professional
quality of the programs arranged. It is not unusual for people
from as far away as Scranton, Harrisburg, State College, Baltimore/Washington,
North Jersey, New York and even Connecticut to drive to attend
SRUTI programs.
SRUTI strongly supports the cultural
education of the children. Since SRUTI was started in 1986, there
has been a growing number of children, born in U.S.A., who have
been training in Indian classical music and dance. They perform
annually at our Thyagaraja Aradhana held in spring.
SRUTI has co-sponsored events with the
Department of Fine Arts, Drexel University and also with Pragati,
the Indian Student Association of Drexel University. SRUTI also
cooperates with other linguistic/cultural organizations in the
area, like The Tamil Association of Greater Delaware Valley, The
Telugu association of Greater Delaware Valley and Triveni.
SRUTI has received generous grants from
grantors including the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Philadelphia
Foundation, Corestates Bank, the Philadelphia Music Project (funded
by the Pew Charitable Trusts), the Stockton-Rush Bartol Foundation
and the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News.
