Ramya is a visual storyteller, photographer, author, and entrepreneur. Her acclaimed book, "Soul of the Nilgiris: A Journey through the Mountains" explores the UNESCO-recognized Blue Mountains and its indigenous communities, highlighting their cultural and ecological richness through narratives, writings, and photographs. Deeply engaged in the Nilgiris, Ramya works closely with the Toda artisans to ensure their GI-tagged art form is preserved, celebrated, and integrated into the contemporary landscape.
Malati is a Writer, Editor and Translator, who has written, edited, translated, reviewed, and published poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. She runs Words and Space, a pro bono writing and editing service. She has over 35 years of experience in the corporate world as a Trainer, Consultant, Coach, and Mentor. Malati co-founded and runs Astitva, a programme that works in the area of nutrition and education for tribal women, adolescents, and children in the Nilgiris.
Ashna Ashesh is a lawyer, public health professional, and writer with over eight years of experience in social impact. Ashna has published extensively, and her work on privacy has been cited by the Supreme Court of India. Her work on citizenship has been cited by multiple scholars in the field. At Coonoor & Co, Ashna is a consulting editor and works with the team to curate and edit stories of slow, mindful living in the mountains. Links to her published pieces can be found here:
Pranoy Biswas is a self-taught visual storyteller. His knack for telling stories evolved through his desire to create meaningful content that is inspired by his life experiences, often including artists and travel. Over a span of 5 years, he has created content that is honest, artistically driven, and visually appealing. He has worked with young entrepreneurs, artists, and business start-ups. His vision is to enable growing artists and brands to create their most authentic stories.
AJ Mallari straddles the confluence of product, space, and systems design as a consultant focusing on holistically outfitting design-led initiatives with heavy leanings on craft and artisanal production to reach their creative goals. He has worked across South and Southeast Asia facilitating workshops, teaching, conducting research, and managing creative interventions while ticking off a shortening list of must-see places. He recently moved to the Visayan Islands after finishing further studies in Belgium last year, he currently runs a start-up creative practice while teaching design at the local university.
Rupali is a visual art practitioner, currently living and working in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. She has been working with different aspects of human life and the transitions of human beings with respect to different phases of life. Her works are an amalgamation of emotional and physical changes. She works with mediums including watercolour, ink and graphite. Instagram