Ramya is a visual storyteller with over fifteen years of experience as a professional photographer. She has worked with several lifestyle and hospitality brands, and her work has been published and exhibited widely. Her love of the Nilgiris manifested in the documentation of her nine-year-long journey and deep research about the indigenous communities in the region as ‘Soul of the Nilgiris’ – a critically acclaimed book encompassing oral narratives, conversations, writings and photographs. At Coonoor & Co, Ramya's dream is to bring alive the stories from the mountains and the slow, kind and mindful living they inspire in a holistic way. As one crucial expression of the brand she is creating, she is actively working towards reinventing the rare art forms of the Nilgiri indigenous communities she holds dear through thoughtful interventions to upskill the artisans and contemporize their art forms, allowing their exquisite work to resonate deeply in a modern world.

Raghu’s love for the natural world drew him to the infinite beauty of the Nilgiris. A self-taught perfumer, he supplemented his passion by training with acclaimed international perfume educators. Drawing on carefully selected synthetics and natural extracts, he crafts perfumes with a deep appreciation for the complexity and beauty of nature. His explorations as an amateur birder have deepened his appreciation for the interconnectedness of all living things, and his writing reflects this perspective. His fragrances and words evoke lush landscapes, the vibrant colours and music of birds, and the sensorial beauty of botanicals.

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.

Prabhu is a reluctant businessperson who discovers his peace in all matters art and prose. A former collector of books, art and ephemera, he now devotes his time to social impact causes and dabbles in writing. He is deeply passionate about the Nilgiris and its communities.

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.

A sudden twist of fate lead AJ to India ten years ago. The chance encounter steadily bloomed into a lifelong affair. He has since left only to return to the region twice, and in between practiced design the world over. He’s currently on a study break in Europe, researching the impact of craft on urban growth, and already dreaming up a trip to the Himalayas.

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