Tribe Verified

Our Story: Building The Inclusion Movement in Bengaluru

bySmileysOnline and across Bengaluru; Visit Karmasthan in BTM LayoutStarts from₹0 per personView full gallery

We started as a small group of friends wanting to spread joy. Today, we are a city-wide movement supporting 25+ special schools. See how we grew.

What happened to Smileys? This is a group picture from our very first event in 2011. We started with a simple idea to spread joy, and it grew into something much bigger.

We realized our work needed structure, so we started The Inclusion Movement. We now support over 25 special schools and 1032 children every single weekend, thanks to our committed volunteers.

A fun trend video showing the different ways our volunteers get involved. From Tandav and the Buddy Project to art and sign language, there are countless ways to be part of our community.

This is what our community looks like. A huge group of passionate people who show up, ready to work, dance, and create something beautiful together. This is the team that makes our Tandav festival possible every year.

About Our Story & Our People

If you see us on a Saturday, you will find us at a special school, not in a boardroom. We ask for a three-hour commitment every weekend because showing up consistently is the only way to build real trust. This is not about one-off visits. It is about becoming a familiar face to the kids, a reliable buddy, and a part of their routine. You do not need experience to start, just the willingness to show up when you say you will.

Active in 25+ special schools in Bengaluru — Approved by the tribe
S

Smileys

Online and across Bengaluru; Visit Karmasthan in BTM LayoutStarts from ₹0 per person

We are just a bunch of friends who realized that doing good is better when you do it together. We moved from Sunday meetups to building Karmasthan, and the energy has not changed a bit. We are always looking for people who want to show up, dance, and be human.

Similar work from other experts

Browse through Curated picks from other experts on mytribe

16
Smiles and laughter are always part of the lesson. Our classes with students from the Parikrma Foundation are filled with joy and positive energy.

Ballet Outreach Programs for All

L
Lewis Foundation of Classical BalletTraining at Frazer Town studio and 6 other locations across Bengaluru
16

My "Magic for Happiness" Journey: Spreading Joy

P
Pradeep TysonWorkshops at Kasturi Nagar studio or your venue in Bengaluru
A selfie capturing the massive energy of our summer workshop showcase. It's a blessing to see so many happy faces from our dance community gathered in one place.17
A happy group photo from our March classes. The smiles and pointing fingers show the fun and camaraderie that we build in every session.
Another moment from our March dance diary. This group showcases the diverse mix of people who come together to form our wonderful dance family.
A group selfie with our director after a successful workshop. These moments of connection with our students are what make our community so special.

Our Dance Community

T
The Swingers DanceJoin online or at 5 studios across Chennai & Bengaluru
12
The announcement for "Vishwa Guru Bharata," a theatre presentation by 100 students of Sri Manjunatha Primary and High School as part of our RAISE program. The photos show the students in action on stage.
The poster for "Shreshta Bharata," a theatre presentation by 400 students of a Government Model Primary School. This RAISE event showcases our large-scale collaborations with local schools.
An invitation to the "Shresta Bharatha" dance drama, presented by 100 students of Sri Manjunatha Primary and High School. This was part of our RAIse cultural festival and a memorial program.

Community Arts Outreach and Heritage Workshops in Bengaluru

R
Ramana Maharshi Centre for LearningOnline programs and at 2 centres in Bengaluru
6
An artistic, Ghibli-style animation of our meditation hall. This beautiful rendering captures the magical and serene quality of our center, a place that feels like a home for seekers from around the world.
Participants enjoying a moment of rest and connection during a yoga session. Our programs offer many opportunities for Seva (volunteering), which is a beautiful way to experience transformation through service and community.
Celebrating India's Independence Day at our center. Our community is global, but we honor the roots of this knowledge and celebrate national pride with joy and enthusiasm.

The Spirit of Seva and Global Community

A
Art of LivingSessions online and at Ashrams in Bengaluru & Gujarat
A child from Makkala Jagriti is captivated as our 'Popo' thatha puppet seems to walk all by itself. The laughter and high energy in these community shows are absolutely contagious.28
We performed for the children at St. John's hospital for International Childhood Cancer Day. Seeing their smiles as they watched the show was a priceless experience for our team.
Bringing smiles to the pediatric oncology ward at St. John's hospital was one of our most memorable shows. Sharing stories in this space is a powerful reminder of how art can bring light and joy.
A moment of pure happiness during our show at St. John's hospital. Using a simple rod puppet, we can create characters that fly and dance, bringing the story to life for the children.

Inclusive Puppetry & Community Joy

P
PuppeTreeWorkshops at your venue across Bengaluru

More from Volunteering Programs by Smileys

FeaturedTandav: Our Inclusive Dance FestivalLearn Indian Sign Language (ISL)Craft for a CauseKarmasthan: India's First Volunteering HubFestivals, Fundraisers & Community EventsOur Weekend Volunteering ProgramsHow You Can Join Us

More services by Smileys

Community Event and Festival OrganizationVenue for Social & Community Initiatives
  1. Home
  2. Smileys
  3. Volunteering Programs
  4. Our Story & Our People