Trustees' Annual Report for the period
Period start date Period end date Day Month Year Day Month Year From 1st May 2021 To 30th April 2022
Section A Reference and administration details
Charity name SANSKRUTI CENTRE FOR CULTURAL EXCELLENCE Other names charity is known by SANSKRUTI, SCFCE Registered charity number (if any) 1191708
Charity's principal address 13 GUINEVERE COURT
KING GEORGE CRESCENT WEMBLEY Postcode HA02FH
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ragasudha Vinjamuri |
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| Sushil Rapatwar | ||||
| Manju Ravi Uma | ||||
Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)
Name Dates acted if not for whole year
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Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) | Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of adviser Name Address |
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| Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) | ||
Section B Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity’s trusts
CONSTITUTION (adopted February 2020) Type of governing document
- (eg. trust deed, constitution)
How the charity is constituted
FOUNDATION MODEL CIO
- (eg. trust, association, company)
Trustees with relevant knowledge, skills or experience are appointed by Trustee selection methods the existing First Charity Trustees by a resolution passed at a convened (eg. appointed by, elected by) meeting. The duration of such trustees appointed shall be 3 years.
Additional governance issues (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:
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policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees.
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the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
The trustees run and manage the activities of Sanskruti. All trustees give their time voluntarily and freely. No remuneration or expenses were paid in the year. No benefit in cash or kind was taken.
Adapting to circumstance of continued lockdown, Sanskruti collaborated with other charitable organisations to be able to reach out to wider virtual audiences for the webinars conducted.
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Criminal Records checks are carried out prior to the start of the trusteeship.
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relationship with any related parties;
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trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
Section C Objectives and activities
Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document
To advance the education of the public in the arts, culture and heritage of India and South Asia by conducting workshops and programmes primarily (and not exclusively) on the subject of classical and folk-dance forms, and training in the same.
To advance the education of the public in the conservation, protection and improvement of physical and natural environment including water efficiency, water pollution et al by using performing arts displays.
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Sanskruti was incorporated as CIO in October 2020 soon after which there was second wave of COVID resulting in lockdown. The lockdown was lifted through the roadmap stepwise after May-June 2021, but the cautiousness and scare remained lingering in the minds of the people. Hence, there was a continued hesitation in gathering socially. Consequently, there were not any venue-oriented activities involving physical presence of participants or performers from May 2021 to December 2021 due to rising concerns of Omicron looming towards the end of the year. Sanskruti Centre continued to organise a variety of online events/ virtual webinars on key and compelling subjects for public benefit. Sanskruti has also collaborated with other charitable organisations to effectively reach wider audiences. The webinars benefited few thousands of online attendees. One physical event was organised in January 2022 marking 75 years of Indian Independence. From May 2021 to the date of submitting this report (i.e. April 2022), following six free webinars were organised for public consumption.
Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)
May 2021 Two webinars were held in May. Kaustubham Karnatakam (in association with The Bhavan) This event highlighted the cultural flavour of Karnataka, in terms of performing arts diversity. Art forms such as Yakshagana, Dollu Kunitha, Kamsale, Veeragase were highlighted. Attendees have learnt about dance, instrument and lyrical treasure of Karnataka region. About 2000 people viewed this webinar. Media coverage: https://eshadoot.com/2021/05/11/kaustubham-karnatakam-spotlightsdistinct-arts-of-karnataka/
Natya Rasa The webinar raised awareness on Koodiyattam, the 2000-year-old ancient classical Sanskrit drama and prominent art form of South India. - - Media report: https://asianlite.com/2021/columns/lite blogs/sanskruti centre-organises-captivating-webinar-on-koodiyattam/
June 2021 Saugandhikam Samskritam (in association with the Nehru Centre, London)
This webinar highlighted the beauty, poetry and importance of Sanskrit and was star-studded with eminent scholars & historians of highest repute and budding poets presenting their Sanskrit poems. Keynote address highlighted how spoken Sanskrit can be implemented, and the history of Indonesian temples depicting ancient epics. About 2500 viewers watched this webinar. - - Media report: https://asianlite.com/2021/news/uk news/saugandhikam samskritam-captivates-global-audiences/
July 2021 Two webinars were held in July 2021
Jhalak of Jharkhand
Some of the exhilarating dance forms of Jharkhand region were showcased. Since Jharkhand has a predominant forest and mining area, how the herbs are used in formulations that could increase immunity in the fight against Covid was narrated, besides the wonderful dance of Seraikala Chhau (mask dance) and tribal dance.
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Media Report: https://asianlite.com/2021/arts-culture/jhalak-of-jharkhandby-sanskruti-bring-forth-fascinating-insights/
Ottan Thullal
A webinar raising awareness on Ottan Thullal, an 18[th] century art form of South India, of Kerala. Media coverage: https://indiadailydigital.com/2021/arts-culture/sanskrutiswebinar-on-ottan-thullal-captivates-uk-audiences/
November 2021
Bouncing back
As an end of the year activity, a very useful webinar was organised on how we can all bounce back, and see the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of Economy, Education, Diplomacy, Art and the role of Journalism. Diplomat from the High Commission of India and the Director General of Assam Rifles et cetera have given their valuable inputs during this webinar. Media report: https://asianlite.com/2021/news/uk-news/bouncing-backwebinar-by-sanskruti-centre-highlights-key-points/
January 2022
Republic Day of India and Stage Tableau of Cultural Diversity Marking the unique occasion of 75 years of Indian Independence, the first event in 2 years was organised in West Kensington, at The Bhavan, titled Sanskruti-Darshayaami..
About 40 performers have displayed the cultural diversity of different regions of India, including 11 states and two Union Territories. Lesserseen dance forms were presented providing an enriching experience to the attendees. It was a free program. About 300 people attended it. Media report: https://eshadoot.com/2022/02/03/cultural-spectacle-atrepublic-day-celebrations-in-london/
The Trustees have worked really hard and made efforts to ensure that the organisation and its activities complied with the guidance and regulations of the Charity Commission. The situation was entirely new to all, and best efforts were made while adapting to the circumstances.
Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)
You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:
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policy on grantmaking;
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policy programme related investment;
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contribution made by volunteers.
For the online events that were organised virtually, we required Zoom Pro which is a paid platform, that was kindly volunteered. Technical help to relay the sessions live on Face Book etc was volunteered. Similarly, posters had to be created to inform people of the ensuing events. Volunteers’ support minimised the expenses as well as provided expert help. It is a valuable contribution of time, energy and expertised, which enabled reaching of our objectives constructively.
The Trustees had two meetings to discuss the way forward and proposed to do few more webinars and one physical event to return to some normalcy to facilitate cultural immersion for the benefit of UK audiences.
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Section D Achievements and performance
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year
Through its activities and webinars, the charity continued to garner goodwill fand appreciation from the community, which is an achievement beyond tangible benefits.
While physical activities would have been attended by fewer numbers or as per the capacity of the venue, the virtual events organised due to second and third round of lockdown and social distancing rules were attended by a much higher number of people, viewership from even beyond the UK. Sanskruti could raise awareness on a variety of lesser seen or lesser-known art forms and involve stalwarts and experts.
Because the main objects of the charity are raising awareness on culture and heritage for public benefit, primarily on dances, the trustees are of the belief that the charity performed well in terms of outreach and cultural consumption.
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Section E Financial review
Brief statement of the
charity’s policy on reserves
No money or funding came through in this financial year yet. The trustees have absorbed the expenses incurred, in the hope of future donations.
The trustees believe that since a lot of good will has been created in the communities, therefore more can be achieved in due course of time. The current financial year’s expenses have been absorbed by the Trustees themselves, from their salaries of their day jobs.
Details of any funds materially in deficit
Further financial review details (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:
No fundraising events were organised in this financial year.
The expenditure of £4545.40 was incurred in giving honorarium to the experts who gave their time to share their knowledge and time in the webinars, and for the venue hire, printing and other expenses related to Republic Day celebrations, the only physical event organised in January 2022. A booklet was printed on the occasion of Republic Day, titled Gamanam, in which messages from eminent dignitaries were printed and disseminated.
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the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
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how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
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Travel was also undertaken in preparation of Republic Day event, to
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• investment policy and collate a documentary on Freedom Fighters of India. At the time PCR test objectives including any was mandatory, hence that cost added to the expense. ethical investment policy These expenses have been absorbed by the Trustees themselves, from adopted. the income of their employment.
Section F Other optional information
Future Plans
We assess that we need to work towards obtaining council funding, grants, Gift Aid and associate membership subscriptions for the future. Now that things are bouncing back and opportunities opening up, next year may have better outcomes.
For the upcoming months, we focus on conducting structured activities and events to raise further awareness and deepen the knowledge on different folk dance forms and continue using performing arts for raising awareness on socially and culturally important subjects, and environmental issues such as water management. Highlighting the linguistic diversity and importance of languages is also an important objective.
Section G Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s)
SUSHIL RAPATWAR Full name(s) RAGASUDHA R VINJAMURI Position (eg Secretary, Chair, TRUSTEE TRUSTEE etc)
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Date 27-02-2023 TAR Mar¢h 2012
| S No | Month | Occasion | Reason | Expense | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May2021 | Koodiyattam | Webinar honorarium | £100 | For Expert |
| 2 | July2021 | Ottan Thullal | Webinar honorarium | £100 | For Expert |
| 3 | July 2021 | Jhalak of Jharkhand |
Webinar honorarium | £ 50 | For Expert |
| 4 | December 21 | Preparations for Republic Day event |
Travel to India (Southall Travel) PCR Test |
£2250 £ 150 |
Air India |
| 5 | January 2022 | Republic Day Celebrations |
Venue hire Gamanam books Designing Printing300 copies |
£1150 £50 £180.40 |
The Bhavan Akshara Solo Press |
| 6 | January2022 | Video teasers | £160 | ||
| 7 | January2022 | Rehearsal venue hire | £75 | ||
| 8 | February2022 | Charityfiling | Accountant | £200 | |
| 9 | March 2022 | Socialposters | £80 | ||
| Total Expenses | £4545.40 |