Mohini Cares Initiative
Mohini Dance School’s goal, in addition to increasing awareness about Indian classical art forms in the United States, is also to provide visibility and financial stability to artists in India. Mohini’s second production, Nirvana, was conceptualized during the COVID-19 pandemic, which needless to say, negatively impacted the performing arts community around the world. Project Nirvana became a mechanism to engage with and compensate over 35 artists in India, providing them with the means to support their families during a very difficult time. Mohini’s financial support during this period prevented many of these artists from nearly abandoning their craft to seek daily wage jobs. In December 2023, Mohini Dance School was formally recognized for its contributions to the field of arts at a felicitation event in Kerala, India.
In 2024, Mohini is formalizing this effort through the “ Mohini Cares” initiative to support struggling artists and their families in Kerala, India. This initiative allows Mohini to:
- Offer financial support to families whose primary vocation is performing arts-related;
- Grant scholarships to talented youth unable to pursue arts due to financial constraints; and
- Provide opportunities for these artists to engage in future Mohini productions.
DONATE
“Be the change you want to see” - Mahatma Gandhi
You can be a part of a campaign to create awareness and mobilize social change through arts. Your cash donations can support the “Mohini Cares” initiative to help struggling artists in Kerala, India. This initiative allows Mohini to:
- Offer financial support to families whose primary vocation is performing arts-related;
- Grant scholarships to talented youth unable to pursue arts due to financial constraints; and
- Provide opportunities for these artists to engage in Mohini’s productions.
Help us make an impact in the lives of artists. Select any of the options below and we thank you, wholeheartedly, for your support.
** Disclaimer : We are not a registered non-profit organization which means your donations cannot be matched or tax exempted. But we guarantee you that all funds donated here will reach deserving local artists in India. These funds will not be used to cover any of Mohini school's operational or production expenses.
Partner With Us
Mohini Dance School is seeking opportunities to collaborate with community partners for events such as fundraisers and awareness-raising campaigns. Mohini has a rich portfolio of theater productions and we are happy to showcase these productions again as part of a partnership. To discuss opportunities, please contact our Founder and Artistic Director, Smitha Krishnan by emailing mohiniseattle@gmail.com.
Our Local Partner
Since 2019, Mohini has partnered with ILLAM Kalakendra, a school for Performing Arts located at Thripunithura Eroor, Kerala, India. ILLAM, which stands for Living Legendary Arts and Music, is a center to promote all Kerala Performing Art forms and artists. Founded about two decades ago, the goals of this institute are:
- Encourage our youth to pursue Kerala Performing Arts, many of which are slowly vanishing from the arts community; and
- Provide platforms for artists to perform and showcase these art forms.
Classes taught at ILLAM cover the following art forms:
- Indian Classical Music
- Percussion instruments such as Mridangam, Chenda, Edekka, Tabla
- String instruments such as Guitar, Violin,
- Indian Classical Dance forms such as Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kuchupudi
- Sketching and painting
The institute is under the leadership of Sunil Kumar C. R. and his wife Sindhu. Smitha started the partnership with ILLAM initially to create music for new pieces in Mohiniyattam that she was creating. Sunil was the Production Manager for these smaller projects. In 2020 during the pandemic, this partnership grew further as part of Project Nirvana. With Sunil’s help, Mohini Dance School provided financial support to over 35 artists and their families. Sunil visited these families personally to share Mohini’s support, both financial and emotional.