MANUSHYA PUTHIRAN

Manushya Puthiran is an acclaimed Tamil poet, who got his first poem published at an early age of 16. His political and topical columns are regulars in Tamil periodicals. In 2002, he was awarded the Sanskriti National Award for his outstanding contribution to Tamil literature as a young writer. He currently runs Uyirmmai Publications.

CRAIG JENKINS

Craig is a professional storyteller and educationalist who performs traditional folktales and the Indian epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. He also writes plays and runs workshops that use traditional stories as a means of addressing contemporary social issues. Some of his most notable works have been Draupadi as a metaphor for violence against women, Karna as a metaphor for 'unwanted children and a lack of self identity' and his internationally renowned 'Abhimanyu- The Child Soldier'. He works with vulnerable groups such as refugees, children in the criminal justice system, children in rural villages and children in the slums. He has also worked for the BBC, British Museum and the British Film Institute.

DR.THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN

Dr.Thamizhachi Thangapandian is a highly acclaimed poet with great command over her language. Her style of traditional yet trendy writing has brought out the lives of the underprivileged, the plight of the Tamils and their changing identities in the fast paced era of globalization into stanzas of meaning and power. Her literary genius has been exhibited through her various works in Tamil. She has also authored a book in English titled "Island to Island".

Dr. RAMESH SRIKONDA

Dr. Ramesh Srikonda is a Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, in Solar Architecture and Building Energy Studies. He is also a Postgraduate Diploma in Ecology & Environment, New Delhi and has a Master of Town & Country Planning degree from Anna University, Chennai. Over the past 25 years, he has worked with the Ministry of Urban Development, Information and Broadcasting Ministry and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.  He is a registered architect of the Council of Architecture, India and member of Indian Institute of Architects and Institute of Town Planners, India.

PARVATHI GHANTASALA

Parvathi Ravi Ghantasala is a leading proponent of Bharatanatyam. Parvathi’s profound understanding, ardent devotion and relentless practice of this intricate art form have earned her an exceptional name in the fraternity of performing arts. Her multi-faceted persona, comprising that of a vibrant Performer, a versatile Choreographer, a loving Teacher and an enthusiastic Festival Director, make her one of the torchbearers, whose endeavor is to carry forward the legacy in the years to come.

ALARMEL VALLI

Alarmél Valli is a leading Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer, acclaimed internationally for her ability to turn traditional grammar into a subtle, deeply internalized, personal dance poetry. Amongst numerous awards received by her, are two of India’s highest civilian honours –the Padmashri and the Padma Bhushan, conferred by the President of India, The Chevalier of Arts and Letters Award from the French Government, the ‘Grande Medaille de la Ville de Paris’, the Award of the Sangeet Natak Akademi – the apex body for Indian Music, Dance and Drama and the State Award of Kalaimamani from the Tamil Nadu Government.

SIKKIL MALA CHANDRASEKHAR

Sikkil Mala Chandrasekhar is a noted South Indian flautist. Born into a musical family, Mala Chandrasekhar started learning from her aunt and mother Sikkil Sisters —Sangeetha kalanidhi Padmasri Smt.Sikkil V.Kunjumani & Sangeetha Kalanidhi  Padmashri Smt Sikkil.N.Neela.  Major influences on Mala's playing are the expertise and repertoire of noted vocalist and teacher Radha Viswanathan and of Radha's mother and guru M.S. Subbulakshmi whose family Mala joined by marriage. Ms. Mala is the First woman to represent India during the International Flute Convention held at Atlanta, Georgia, USA — 1999. She was also the first Indian to participate at a conference held in May 2006 at the National Music Museum in Vermillion, South Dakota, USA, was the first South Indian Flautist to have performed in  Jordan Music Festival in 2009.  Mala is a” Top graded” artiste by AIR (All India Radio) and has given concerts throughout India and abroad . She also has many accolades to her credit. A few of them are:

- 1995 The Title of “Kalaimamani” (received at less than 35 years of age)

- 2000 “Isai Peroli”from Karthik Fine Arts ,Chennai

- 2012 "Madurai Murali Puraskar"- Vipanchi 

- 2011"Lifetime Achievement Award"- Sahara India Parivar, Lucknow. She was the first South Indian      to  receive this award.

- 2008 "Excellence Award" United Nations & YMCA, U.S.A.

- 2006 "Shanmukha Sangeetha Shiromani" Shanmukhananda Sabha,Mumbai.