Our Objectives: One of the prime objectives of the Charkula Arts Academy is to work for National integration through Cultural Interaction. First, the Academy seeks to inspire, foster and promote Folk Arts, Dance & Drama, Music, Crafts and related forms of creative expression.
Charkula Arts Academy (Singapore) prides itself on bringing quality entertainment to Singapore audiences. “Charkula Arts Academy” may do fewer shows each year, but the shows we bring are guaranteed to be high quality.
Seondly, academy has to take culture hitherto the preserve of the elite and affluent to the doorstep of the common man. The Academy also preserves art forms by improving opportunities for the artists for performance, through its out reach activities, and providing artists to various cultural festivals & events. It is also the endeavor of the Academy to enlist the participation of the youth in cultural activities
Charkula logo represents the traditional folk dance of Utter Pradesh named “CHARKULA”. The Charkula dance is associated with the Braj area of Uttar Pradesh and in particular with the village of Mukhrai in Mathura. This female dominated dance is performed during the monsoon and the other occasions of festivity. The faces of women are veiled. The inspiration for the dance is believed to have come from Radha’s grandmother, who is believed to have run out of her house with wheel on her head to give the news of Radha’s birth. While dancing, women carry a multi-tiered heavy wheel on their heads. This wheel has 108 oil lamps placed on the rim of each wheel and pots in the center and its waight ranges about 50 KG. While women dance , the men sing rasia folk songs in honour of Lord Krishna. The instruments used in this dance are Nagara (drum), Algoza ( wind instrument), Thali (brass plate used for beat), Bansuri (flute) Majira, Khartal (cymbals) and harmonium.
The Charkula Arts Academy is a non-profit organisation working towards the improvement of the lives of poor artists in Mathura region (Uttar Pradesh).
Mr. Murari Lal Sharma – an artist & Yash Bharti, Sangeet Natak Academy award & Sanskartik Samman winner – founded the Academy in 1982. The Charkula Arts Academy has grown to benefit more than 500 families of mostly artists, dancers and others. The artists perform at local and international cultural fairs.
Charkula Arts Academy has been established to promote Dance, Music and Culture of Uttar Pradesh (India), and to impart this training to students. During the subsequent years, organization has grown by providing an ever-increasing number of services and programs to our clients, as well as acting as an information resource to the public on various folk dances from Braj Folk to All India Folk Dances.
The organization produces original dance works and sponsors Festivals, Exhibitions and Workshops; supports research into rare dance forms and gives professional opportunities to budding artists. The aim of the Academy in India is to keep the traditional arts of artist communities alive by providing them services to meet the basic needs they have identified.
The Charkula Arts Academy has started developing international exchanges with artists from other countries. We believe it is very important to develop greater understanding between people at all levels. The arts can be a good vehicle towards this end. Joint performances and workshops are being organised to help artists from different countries develop their skills through mutual inspiration.
The Charkula Arts Academy is also engaged in gaining recognition for dying traditional arts, which are part of our proud age-old Indian civilisation. These arts were passed down for generations and are mastered over a number of years. The academy has performed traditional Charkula and other Indian folk & Classical Dances at several prestiguous venues in India and abroad such as Village Festival-2000 in Singapore & Dubai shopping festival.
In India the Charkula Arts Academy has performed for National Centre of the Performing Arts, Nehru Centre, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation and for Television. Charkula has been selected in the Republic Parade of India 1986 to represent Uttar Pradesh.
Charkula Arts Academy (Singapore) is an Event, Performance management and Promotion organization with a team of committed, innovative, customer focused and experienced professionals with positive attributes of flexibility and adaptability. We handle a diverse portfolio of Local & International artists.
The organization has identified a growing interest in Art, Folk Dances and Music from the sub-continent. It aims to bring the highest quality to satisfy both the growing population of Indian people as well as non-Indians with an interest in subcontinent music and art.
The organization primarily produces and organizes Concerts, show and live performances in Singapore and neighboring countries.
Charkula Arts Academy (Singapore) is the extension of Charkula Arts Academy – India to promote Indian Arts & Culture outside India. Established in 2004 and registered with ACRA in 2007, Charkula Arts Academy (Singapore) is the Asia Pacific Headquarter headed by Alka Sharma with its corporate Headquarter in India. Charkula Arts Academy (Singapore) is engaged in promoting Folk dances, concerts / stage shows in Singapore. Its success with concerts and stage shows has surpassed all expectations by its audience.