## **Annual Report of Mudra Academy of Performing Arts UK for the year ending in April 2025** The trustees of Mudra Academy of Performing Arts UK are pleased to present the annual report for the financial year ending 15[th] April 2025. 2024-2025 ## _**Achievements, Activities :**_ 1. The trustees meet via zoom. 2. 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. 3. Bollywood and contemporary dance classes are also held at Donegal Pass Community Centre. 4. The academy also provides frequent drop-in sessions for women with any degree of experience in dance to come, meet and learn Indian dancing. 5. 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. - 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. 2. **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 1st March 2025. 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. UKBC 22[nd] Jun 2024** Mudra Academy of Performing Arts UK co-hosted this beautiful evening of dance along with CamCare UK and other UK Bengali associations. This event was to showcase the different classical Indian Dance forms, drama and, music and folk dances. It was held in Glasgow, Scotland. ## **4. Teachings of Swami Vivekananda** Mudra Academy was a co-host along with ImageNationNI, PRONI and Vivekananda Vedanta Centre of the event celebrating India’s Independence Day emphasizing on the teachings of Swami Vivekananda. This was on 17[th] Aug. ## **Events participated by Mudra Academy of performing Arts UK in Belfast and in Northern Ireland:** 1. Mudra Academy and Josh students took part in the Tamil New Year celebrations held at St Anne's Parish centre Hall on 5th April 2025. 2. Mudra Academy dancers performed at the Grand announcement of the All Ireland Fleadh event on 8th March 2025 at Belfast City Hall. 3. Mudra was part of the Chinese New Year celebration by Dragon Lion Dance at the Ulster Hall on 26th Jan 2025. 4. Mudra Academy took part in the intercultural festival in Newry organised by Newry Indian Arts Club on Jan 25th 2025. 5. Mudra Academy was a part of the 'Beat the January Blues' event organised by Heather Green at Holywood Library on 18th Jan 2025. 6. Mudra Academy members participated in the Grand Fest 2024 at NewtownArds Queens Hall organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council on 30[th] Nov2024 7. Mudra Academy members participated in the Diwali celebrations at City Hall organised by Imagenation NI on 20[th] Nov 2024 8. The Indian Community Centre celebrated Diwali on 13[th] Nov. Mudra and Josh students performed there. 9. On 18/11/2024 Mudra and Josh students performed at the Tamil Diwali celebrations at St Annes Parish hall. - 10.Mudra Academy took part in the Diwali event organised by Swagath Association, Newry. - 11.Mudra Academy student took part in the Bathukamma Celebrations on 12/10/2024 - 12.Josh group took part in the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations on 7[th] Sept by the Marathi Mandal Association in Belfast. 13. Mudra Academy Dancers took part in the inauguration of Sportsmania Fest tournament organised by MSCNI on 28[th] Jul 2024. - 14.Members of Mudra Academy took part in the Ugadhi celebration organised by TCSNI on 17[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 :£ 1141.91 Funds at the end of financial year :£ 2933.35 ## **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:** 1. Imparting education in Indian dance. 2. Promoting the South Asian culture through dance, music at various events. 3. Running the Durga Puja and Dussehra celebration . 4. Helping other organisations in their fundraising efforts.