Annual Report of Mudra Academy of Performing Arts UK for the year ending in April 2024
The trustees of Mudra Academy of Performing Arts UK are pleased to present the annual report for the financial year ending 15[th] April 2024.
2023-2024
Achievements, Activities :
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The trustees meet via zoom.
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Mudra Academy of Performing Arts Dance classes are normally held regularly every Saturday St. Mary Magdalene Church, Belfast. Here a number of children come to learn Bharatanatyam , an Indian classical dance form.. The classes are open to all members of public irrespective of gender, nationality, religion.
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The academy also provides frequent drop-in sessions for women with any degree of experience in dance to come, meet and learn Indian dancing.
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Online Bharatnatyam classes are also held for ladies and kids from other parts of NI.
Events organised by Mudra Academy of Performing Arts UK:
1. Durga Puja and Dussehra Celebrations:
The annual festival of Durga Puja and Dussehra was held in the Indian Community Centre from 20[th] Oct-22[nd] Oct.
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This religious as well as cultural festival at the beginning of autumn marks the victory of good over evil. The 2 day festival consists of religious rituals, dance performances by kids and adults, retelling the myths through a drama performed by children, community dancing , education and awareness through powerpoint presentations and talks. . Members of Mudra Academy and Josh group performed dances and the play Ramayana. There were other artistes also who performed at the event. We received funding from the Belfast City Council for the event.
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Rhythm Speaks, charity event for Action Cancer The annual flagship event of Mudra Academy of performing Arts UK is the Charity fundraiser for Action Cancer. It was held at Methodist College Belfast on 2[nd] March 2024. We were honoured to have the deputy first Minister Mrs Emma Pengelly and This highly entertaining, diverse, multicultural musical and dance event was attended by 200+
members of the public. Irish dancing, Irish Trad music , Indian dancing by the Mudra Academy students as well as community groups from all over Belfast and Newtown Ards made the evening a spectacular success with approximately £ raised for the noble cause.
3. Nritysutra
Mudra Academy of Performing Arts UK co-hosted this beautiful evening of dance along with Imagenation Ni and Rhythms of India. This event was to showcase the different classical Indian Dance forms. It was held at the Ulster museum as part of its reaching to the East series. Renowned Kuchipudi and Bharatnatyam dancer from India Mr Avijit Das was the main performer at the event.
Events participated by Mudra Academy of performing Arts UK in Belfast and in Northern Ireland:
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Mudra Academy and Josh students took part in the Tamil New Year celebrations held in the City Hall on 29[th] April.
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Mudra Academy dancers performed at the Mayor’s event on 13[th] May at Botanic Park run by the BCC and BAWA.
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Mudra Academy performed at the youth concert of the St Columbanus festival in Bangor on 12[th] June.
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Mudra dancers took part in NRITHYA a dance festival organised by Malayalam IE in Dublin.
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OMNI Onam celebration at Belfast City Hall on 11[th] Nov 2023 was also one of the major events where Josh and Mudra students performed.
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Mudra Academy members participated in the Diwali celebrations at City Hall organised by Imagenation NI
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The Indian Community Centre celebrated Diwali on 13[th] Nov. Mudra and Josh students performed there.
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On 26/11/2023 Mudra and Josh students performed at the Tamil Diwali celebrations at St Annes Parish hall.
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Mudra Academy took part in the event organised by the Vedanta Society, Belfast to to commemorate the teachings of Swami Vivekananda.
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10.Members of Mudra Academy took part in the Ugadhi celebration organised by TCSNI on 13[th] April 2024.
Financial Review:
The main income of the charity is through donations and the main expenditure this year is the purchase of and perishables like snacks, sweets , flowers etc during the running of the two flagship events, Durga Puja and Rhythm Speaks. Funds at the beginning of financial year :£ 1216.04
Funds at the end of financial year :£ 1141.91
Assets:
We have the following assets.
Music System £209.98 Costumes £513.38
Objectives and Activities
Charitable Object
The object of the charity is to foster understanding and the development of South Asian cultural practices through dance, music, arts etc.
Mudra Academy of performing Arts UK aims to increase the knowledge about the South Asian culture among the youth and children of South Asian origin as well as among the local community. It aims to promote understanding and exchange of ideas between the cultures in the UK and especially in Northern Ireland.
Public Benefit Statement
The trustees can confirm that this charity has complied with the requirement of the Charity Commission on the Public benefit and its activities in the year 2023-2024 has been in accordance to that.
We have strived to increase awareness of South Asian culture among the local community and also helped the South Asian diaspora to feel connected to their roots through music, dance and art. It has helped through the arts to foster a sense of belonging to the local community and give back to society through the fundraising activity. We also provide a fun filled Indian dancing drop-in sessions for women, thus helping them relieve stress as well as provide a physical activity resulting in better physical and mental wellbeing.
Summary of Activities:
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Imparting education in Indian dance.
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Promoting the South Asian culture through dance, music at various
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events.
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Running the Durga Puja and Dussehra celebration .
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Helping other organisations in their fundraising efforts.