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Kupu
A Festival for Climate Action
Speakers, Facilitators & Collaborators
When we hear the word Nature, something deep within us is evoked. Images of forests, greenery, birds, and butterflies flash before us. They kindle joy, calmness, and a longing to be around them. Yet, humanity’s indifference to the natural world has created many issues that threaten biodiversity and our lives. We are the last generation that can save our future before it’s too late. Each one of us can be an environmentalist which can be made possible when we all participate in making the planet a better place to live and thrive.
Kupu (pronounced as KOO-POO), derived from the Hawaiian word meaning ‘to sprout’, is about growth, renewal, and a promising future. We are bringing together an extraordinary lineup of workshops, immersive experiences, interactive exhibits, thought-provoking conversations, a music concert that will stir your soul, and a humorous theatre play – all of which will leave you pondering the realities of our planet and infuse you with energy to take action.
This is a two day festival involving students and the youth since they hold the baton to creating a better world. We’re giving them the tools, the inspiration, and the platform to shape the future they want to live in.
Event Schedule:
Auditorium | Day 1 | June 17 | Saturday
11 am | Opening
11:30 am to 12:30 pm | Brews and Brainstorms: Education for a Changing Climate | Discussion | Ages 13+
Join us for a conversation on the kind of education that is needed during the climate crisis. Explore where you fit in with this crucial issue and discover how your actions can contribute to a sustainable future. Our panel of leaders, including Jigyasa Labroo, Kuldeep Dantewadia and Dr. Srivi Kalyan, will guide us through thought-provoking discussions. Moderated by Anshul Tewari, this event aims to inspire innovative ideas and drive actionable steps towards a better world. Don’t miss this opportunity to shape the education landscape and take meaningful actions in the face of the changing climate.
A conversation with Jigyasa Labroo, co-founder and CEO – Slam Out Loud, Kuldeep Dantewadia, co-founder and CEO – Reap Benefit, Dr. Srivi Kalyan, Educator and Dean, Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology. Moderated by Anshul Tewari, Founder, Youth Ki Awaaz.
2 to 3 pm | The Plastic Bag Store | Film Screening | Robin Frohardt | 61 minutes | Language: English | Subtitles: English | Ages 8+
A dynamic series of stories that traverse ancient history, the present day and a future dystopia, employing inventive puppetry, humor and craft to explore how the hordes of plastic waste might be misinterpreted by future generations. A tragic-comic ode to the foreverness of plastic.
5 to 5:30 pm | Beyond the Urban | Performance | Ages 13+
A folk music performance on nature and our engagement with it.
Experience the enchanting world of folk songs from different corners of Karnataka in this edition of Beyond the Urban. This performance serves as a gateway into the rich heritage of oral traditions, showcasing their power to preserve community memory and history. Delve into the wonders of nature and the deep connection we share with it through soul-stirring melodies. Shilpa Mudbi, co-founder of Urban Folk Project, along with a team of talented voices will captivate the audience, showcasing diverse genres like leisure, bhakti, ritual, and labor.
6 to 7:20 pm | Plan B/C/D/E | Play | Ages 18+
A theatre play presented as a guide to surviving climate change.
In this satirical theatre play, Meghana AT takes matters into her own hands, crafting backup plans to navigate the climate crisis. With an interactive twist, she engages the audience to ensure the water-tightness of her survival strategies.
Auditorium | Day 2 | June 18 | Sunday
11 am | Storytelling through Movement | Performance | Ages 9+
A dance performance by students about the climate crisis.
This performance will feature a series of choreographed movements that showcase the importance of reducing waste, conserving resources, and promoting eco-friendly practices. The music will be carefully chosen to
reflect the beauty and significance of nature, with a mixture of classical, drama, mime and contemporary styles.
Performed by students from Dream a Dream Foundation.
11:30 am to 12:45 pm | Policy Par Charcha | Discussion | Ages 18+
A Conversation on Karnataka’s climate future. Moderated by Anshul Tewari, Founder, Youth Ki Awaaz.
2 to 3 pm | The Crab Season | Martin Benoist | Film Screening | 52 minutes | Language: French | Subtitles: English
Behind the cliff of Etretat, Christophe, profoundly visually impaired, takes crabs and lobsters by hand, in an almost lunar environment, where nobody ventures. Along with him we experience what Christophe feels, starting with the beauty of the landscape and his very good knowledge of the area.
3 to 4 pm | Mamody – The Last Baobab Digger | Film Screening | Cyrille Cornu | 50 minutes | Language: English | Subtitles: English
In the southwest of Madagascar, the Mahafaly plateau is an extremely arid land. Here, the rains fall only a few times a year. In these very difficult living conditions, the inhabitants of the small village of Ampotaka found a unique solution to store water.
4:15 to 5:15 pm | The Power of Passion Projects | Play | Ages 13+
An interaction with young educators through a playback theatre performance.
Through the art form of playback theatre, witness the impactful journeys of these Fellows as they share reflections and experiences from their nature education passion projects. Be moved by the personal stories and the transformative power of connecting with nature, and gain insights into the profound impact of these projects on individuals and communities. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate the dedication and passion of these Earth Education Fellows in creating a positive change for our planet.
Performed by First Drop, Playback theatre.
6:30 to 7:45 pm | Song-Farers at Sea | Performance | Ages 8+
A music concert about the journey of loss and hope.
Bindumalini, MD Pallavi and Vedanth Bharadwaj, finding themselves at sea, sieve through songs and stories, looking for cues and directions to find ways to navigate through loss and hope, and to find the future they want to sail towards.
Workshops | Day 1 | June 17 | Saturday
11:30 am to 5:30 pm | Campaign Crafternoon: From Ideas to Action | Ages 18-40 | Boardroom
A workshop on setting your campaign roadmap.
Participants of the workshop will gain invaluable skills and knowledge in planning and executing mobilisation and advocacy campaigns centered around the causes they hold dear. This empowering workshop will equip attendees with the tools needed to create real and lasting change. Throughout the workshop, attendees will delve into the Theory of Change, develop tactical pathways to success, build efficient timelines, and harness the power of data and analysis to track progress.
Facilitated by Divya Narayanan, Campaigns Director, Jhatkaa.
11:30 am to 1:00 pm | Laughing in the Face of Climate Change | Ages 8 – 17 | Library
A cartooning workshop.
Discover the step-by-step process of creating characters, expressing emotions through art, and crafting complete panel comic strips. Unleash your creativity and gain a deeper understanding of environmental awareness through the art of cartoons. Join us for this unique opportunity to learn and explore the power of visual storytelling.
Facilitated by Rohan Chakravarty, Cartoonist, Green Humour.
Beyond Barriers | Ages 15 – 30 | Hall 1
A photography workshop for the neurodivergent community, deaf community and wheelchair users.
17th June | 11:30 am to 12:30 pm | Open to the deaf community
17th June | 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Open to wheelchair users
18th June | 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm | Open to the neurodivergent community
Climate change poses a significant threat to all individuals, but those living with disabilities face even greater challenges due to discrimination and marginalization. Join Srivatsan Shankaran’s groundbreaking photography workshop, a transformative event designed to celebrate inclusivity and empower individuals of all abilities. Specifically tailored for wheelchair users, neurodivergent individuals, and the deaf community, this workshop embraces the power of photography as a medium of self-expression and creativity.
Facilitated by Srivatsan Sankaran, Photographer and Advocate for Disability Rights.
12 to 1 pm | Mad Scientists Unleashed: Where Learning Gets Playful | Ages 8 – 14 | Hall 2
A fun science experiments workshop.
Embark on a thrilling journey of discovery with Earth Education Fellow Snigdha Sehgal where you’ll dive into the world of fun science experiments. Explore, learn, and unleash your inner scientist! Engage in hands-on activities, conduct exciting experiments, and unravel the wonders of science. This workshop offers a perfect blend of education and entertainment, where curiosity meets scientific exploration.
Facilitated by Snigdha Sehgal, Science Educator and Earth Education Fellow, YouCAN.
2 to 3 pm | Rubbish | Ages 8 – 17 | Library
Understand garbage through a game.
Embark on a journey of waste management and sustainability with this workshop titled Rubbish – Understanding Garbage through a Game. Led by expert facilitators, participants will engage in an interactive game that delves into the world of garbage disposal and recycling. Explore the environmental impacts of our daily choices, discover innovative solutions, and gain a deeper understanding of waste management. This workshop aims to inspire sustainable practices and empower individuals to make a positive impact on the global waste crisis.
Facilitated by Fields of View, an organisation involved in policy through experiences.
2 to 3 pm | Pulp Fiction: Exploring Creativity through Handcrafting Paper | Ages 8 – 17 | Terrace
A paper-making workshop.
Delve into the world of paper-making, where you’ll discover the art of transforming pulp into beautiful, handmade creations. This workshop welcomes both experienced artists and beginners, providing an opportunity to explore your artistic side while contributing to a sustainable future.
Facilitated by Jerusha D’Souza, Educator and Earth Education Fellow, YouCAN.
2 to 5 pm | Healing in the Anthropocene | Ages 18+ | Hall 2
A workshop on navigating eco-anxiety and burnout.
Experience a transformative workshop on navigating eco-anxiety & burnout with Bhairavi Prakash. Discover strategies to navigate emotional challenges, find resilience, and create hope in the face of climate action. Join fellow climate warriors for an empowering session that sparks hope and empowers positive action. Through this workshop, Bhairavi will equip us with coping mechanisms, tools, and practices to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of eco-anxiety & burnout. Drawing from her expertise, Bhairavi will help us find resilience, understanding, and connectedness amidst the challenges we face.
Facilitated by Bhairavi Prakash, Psychologist and Founder, Mithra Trust.
3 to 4 pm | How to Write about Climate Change: Turning Information to Action Using Storytelling | Hall 1
Turning information into action for remarkable impact.
For the past three years, Youth Ki Awaaz (YKA) has been running a climate-action campaign – #ZeroSeHero – designed to inspire positive action by decision makers and next generation change-makers to help India have a just transition to net-zero policies.
With over 4000 stories on climate-related issues, over 20 public engagements with decision makers and creative public information campaigns, YKA will host a workshop on storytelling for impact, on climate change. If you’re someone who is extremely passionate about climate action and wants to learn how to use the power of writing, communicating and storytelling to create impact, this session is for you.
Facilitated by Youth Ki Awaaz, a citizen led youth journalism platform.
4 to 5 pm | Geo-Detectives: Unraveling the Secrets of your Neighborhood | Ages 8-17 | Hall 1
A workshop on applying geo-inquiry in your locality.
This is an exciting workshop on using geo-inquiry to uncover the hidden treasures of biodiversity and ecosystems in your very own neighbourhood. Embark on a journey of exploration and discovery as Earth Education Fellow Aishwarya Soni guides you through mapping and investigating biodiversity hotspots, flora, fauna, and ecological wonders. Through geo-inquiry, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of nature and the intricate web of life right outside your doorstep. Become a citizen scientist and contribute to our collective understanding of local ecosystems.
Facilitated by Aishwarya Soni, Educator and Earth Education Fellow, YouCAN.
4 to 5 pm | Climate Fiction Lab: Unleashing Imaginations | Ages 8-17 | Library
A climate fiction storywriting workshop.
Through this workshop, participants will embark on a transformative journey of storytelling, learning the art of weaving climate-themed tales that resonate with the pressing environmental issues of our time. Under Bijal’s expert guidance, young writers will delve into the depths of their imagination, exploring the intricacies of nature and its relationship with humanity. Alongside fostering creativity, this workshop also focuses on honing participants’ writing skills. Bijal will share valuable techniques, helping young writers craft compelling narratives with well-rounded characters, engaging plots, and impactful messages.
Facilitated by Bijal Vachharajani, Children’s Book Editor, Writer and Climate Worrier.
Workshops | Day 2 | June 18 | Sunday
8 am to 12 pm | Beyond the Blooms | Ages 8-17
Capturing earth’s epic changes through a journaling workshop.
While we learn to document and record our observations of the natural world, is it possible to understand our environment better? Can we learn to pay attention to the processes and impacts, the unseen changes and hidden truths?
Come join us and explore together, the possibility of how nature journaling can bring about powerful stories of change.
Facilitated by Sangeetha Kadur, Wildlife Illustrator and Nature Journal Artist.
11:30 am to 1 pm | The Curiosity Trio | Ages 8-17 | Hall 1
A workshop on nature journaling, microscopy and mapping.
This workshop offers an opportunity to dive into the world of nature journaling, curiosity mapping, and microscopy. Participants will discover the joy of observing and documenting the wonders of nature while igniting their curiosity and deepening their appreciation for the natural world. Through immersive activities, attendees will learn how to create curiosity maps, explore the fascinating realm of microscopy, and unleash their creativity to gain a deeper understanding of the natural environment.
Facilitated by Mihir Pathak, Educator and Earth Education Fellow.
12:30 to 3:30 pm | LOCI Food Lab: Who Feeds BLR? | Ages 8+
A workshop on exploring food.
LOCI Food Lab is a travelling food cart for prototyping, serving and debating a range of bioregional food futures at different sites around the world. (A bioregion (a.k.a. ecoregion) is an area bounded by natural rather than political borders, which has characteristic flora and fauna, and includes one or more ecosystems.)
At this workshop, we aim to explore the bioregion of Bangalore and anticipate through taste and conversation, what the future of food in the region might be.
This LOCI Food Lab is an experiment in commons-based peer production initiated by the Center for Genomic Gastronomy and will be hosted by Anusha Murthy, Edible Issues.
2 to 3 pm | Bug B&B | Hall 2
A workshop to build your own insect hotel.
This workshop will provide a hands-on experience where participants can delve into the fascinating world of insects and learn the art of building their own insect hotels. Gain practical skills and insights into creating habitats for solitary bees and non-social wasps, contributing to insect conservation efforts. Through an engaging and educational session, attendees will have the opportunity to support insect biodiversity by creating welcoming spaces for these important creatures. Don’t miss this chance to learn, build, and make a positive impact on our ecosystem.
Facilitated by Maria Antony, Nature Educator and Earth Education Fellow, YouCAN.
2 to 3:30 pm | Climate Chaupal | Ages 18+ | Terrace
A sharing circle for ecological loss and climate anxiety allows us to share our pain, fear, anger, grief and all other emotions about these events. The process of naming an emotion we are feeling and having others witness that with empathy and acknowledgement allows for an energetic release.
A healthy emotional body and heart requires us to befriend our difficult emotions, even what we have numbed ourselves to, or find difficult to feel, in our bodies and ourselves. Sharing circles are a way to do this in community. There is something especially powerful about mourning in community rather than by ourselves. We get a sense that there is a community that feels similar distress about the times we are living in and that we are not alone in struggling with these feelings. We each are trying to do what we can to reduce the ways we may be contributing to climate change and move towards bringing change in our communities.
Facilitated by Daya and Gayathri Ramachandran, certified Resonant Healing practitioners.
2 to 5 pm | Wing’in It | Ages 8-17 | Library
A paper sculpting workshop on birds of the Western Ghats.
From vibrant plumage to delicate feathers, participants will have the opportunity to unleash their creativity and attention to detail, bringing their favourite avian creatures to life. They will learn about the anatomy and characteristics of different bird species, inspiring them to replicate their unique traits through the art of paper sculpting. Through hands-on practice, young artists will gain a deeper understanding of spatial awareness, proportion, and the art of creating realistic sculptures. They will discover the joy of expressing themselves through art, fostering their imagination and honing their fine motor skills as they navigate the process of constructing life-sized birds from paper.
Facilitated by Niharika Rajput, Artist and National Geographic Explorer.
3 to 5 pm | Unmasking the Planet | Ages 8-35 | Boardroom
A photojournalism workshop as a window into our planet’s health.
Discover the power of visual storytelling and learn how to use photojournalism as a tool to shed light on the hidden truths of our planet’s health. Join us to explore the intersection of climate change, storytelling, and the urgent stories that demand our attention.
Facilitated by Saumya Khandelwal, Photo-Journalist.
Exhibitions, Installations and Interactive Displays | All day | June 17-18
The Bizarre Bazaar of Nature: Exploring Nature’s Quirks | Exhibition | Ages 8+ | Gallery
A mobile natural history museum exhibit. Get ready to witness the beauty and complexity of the natural world up close as this mobile museum invites you to discover and appreciate the rich biodiversity of Palampur and beyond.
This museum-on-wheels brings to you a treasure trove of natural artefacts, specimens, and exhibits. Embark on a journey through time and space as you explore the diverse ecosystems, ancient fossils, and captivating wildlife displays curated by Vikram Singh, Naturalist and National Geographic Explorer. The specimens will only be available for viewing at the timings stated below. There is also a planned workshop for attendees.
Interact with the exhibit and attend the workshop | June 17, 2 to 3 pm | June 18, 12-1 pm and 3:30 to 4:30pm
The Exhibit of Horrors | Exhibition | Foyer 1, 2 and 3 | All day | June 17-18
An interactive visual encounter with climate change.
Immerse yourself in a thought-provoking exhibition showcasing powerful photographs that depict the impacts of climate change on our planet. Witness the stark realities and urgent need for action through these compelling visuals. Deepen your understanding and ignite a sense of responsibility towards protecting our environment.
Curated by Conservation India, a web portal and support platform enabling conservation action.
TechART for Climate Change | Installations | All day | June 17-18
Where Do I Come From? Where Do I Go? | Malavika PC | Walk into a cascade of waste, where data meets art and reality hits home. Witness the intimate relationship between the performers and the garbage they produced. This Al-powered art installation exposes the toxic equation between humans and the garbage we generate. This ironic visual pageantry inspires contemplation on our daily consumption habits, sparking a call to action on the pressing issue of sustainability.
Where do I com Whereriollso? | Dev Aggarwal | Enti-i are a swarm intelligence, highly organised and self-aware, with a dark sense of humour and shape-shifting stealth capabilities. Biding their time in the earth’s warming oceans, growing elaborate and bioluminescent, many have enjoyed the extra acid, hydrocarbons and heat. But rising seas can absorb only so much energy before mass extinctions, of their food and all food webs. Since this realisation, a Borromean king of leaders has arisen. Led by Enti-i, they’ve been spreading outlandish memes and rumours. Enti-i is going nuclear to galvanise intelligent action.
Wood Wide Web | Anupam Mahajan | Enter the Wood Wide Web and witness forests come to life. Ancient and endangered trees of India and the UK share their tales of survival through skeletal tracking and Al. Don’t just admire the beauty of these magnificent beings, feel their pain and become their advocate in the fight against climate change. Through this piece, our forests have a voice and are inviting us to join them in protecting our shared planet.
Curated by BeFantastic, a techart platform that engages an international community of techart creators and experts.
Presented by YouCAN
Supported by
SHIV AND ROOPA DEWAN NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
Festival Partners
Speakers, Facilitators & Collaborators
Aiswarya Soni
Aiswarya Soni, an ITDP employee has been using her free time to volunteer, connect and learn with children through various initiatives and organizations. Through her time teaching mathematics to children at an orphanage in Bengaluru, Aishwarya has rightfully identified the curiosity and depth of learning in them and she aims to nurture this very innate wonder within them to create change, awareness, and a call to action for the environment. When she is not working towards creating sustainable communication strategies in her organization and spending time teaching and learning with children, you can find Aishwarya breaking out of her comfort zone and taking on the streets of Chennai and Bengaluru on her cycle and dwelling in the midst of natural spaces.
Anshul Tewari
Anshul Tewari is a social entrepreneur and the Founder of Youth Ki Awaaz, India’s largest media platform for young people to speak up and create an impact. He has worked across media, technology and citizen advocacy to build and scale community driven models of social change. Anshul is an Ashoka Fellow for social entrepreneurship and was named a Young Innovator by the United Nations ITU in 2012. He was also named a Forbes 30 Under 30 media influencer in 2018. He is a trustee on the board of the Internet Freedom Foundation and a founding trustee of the Misinformation Combat Alliance, a cross industry collaborative effort set up with the objective of combatting and limiting the spread of misinformation through targeted interventions and activities. He previously also served on the UN Women Civil Society Advisory Board for South and South East Asia.
Bhairavi Prakash
Bhairavi Prakash is a psychologist, an Amani Fellow and the founder of Mithra Trust. The purpose of Mithra (friend in Sanskrit) is to provide mental health information, and tools, in a way that a peer would. Mithra promotes understanding, empathy, and connectedness by providing safe spaces both online and offline for people to express themselves, introspect, and feel a sense of belonging. In the past Bhairavi has worked on workplace well-being, and set up India’s first for-profit school-mental health program. Her areas of interest include digital health, youth leadership, and wildlife.
Bijal Vachharajani
Bijal Vachharajani is a writer, editor, and advocate with extensive experience in journalism and the media industry. She has worked as an editor, strategist, and campaigner for various organizations, focusing on wildlife conservation, climate change, and environmental projects. Bijal has authored several children’s books and currently serves as a commissioning editor at Pratham Books, curating and editing books for children. Her passion for the environment and climate issues is evident in her work, and she also contributes to news websites. Bijal’s dedication to raising awareness and inspiring change has earned her recognition as a certified climate worrier.
Bindhumalini
Bindhumalini Narayanaswamy is a singer, composer. Bindhu constantly strives to explore avenues outside of her strict classical roots to play with the pure soul stirring power that music has. She has journeyed to various hamlets, villages, cities and countries sharing the songs and poems of various mystic saints of India. She directed music for feature and documentary films in Tamil, Kannada and other languages. She won the National Award and Filmfare Award as Best Singer for the songs she created and sang in the film Nathicharami. Bindhumalini has been expanding her craft, community and repertoire through multidisciplinary collaborations.
Daya
Daya is an empathy and play facilitator, certified Resonant Healing practitioner, Play for peace Trainer and a trained mountaineer, martial artist and dancer. She draws from her experiences as a nature guide, practice of nonviolent communication and somatic movement derived from her movement practices to support people in one to one or group sessions to address and heal the impacts of conflicts and trauma on their body. She works with organizations and marginalised communities facilitating deep connections with the earth, oneself and each other nurturing play and joy in our lives. Daya attunes herself with warmth and gentleness, holding resonant space for people who have experienced trauma of climate change, natural disasters, sexual abuse, family conflicts, war and displacement supporting them to get in touch with the wisdom of their bodies, find clarity and heal from personal and systemic trauma.
Divya Narayanan
Divya is a workshop facilitator and campaigns director at Jhatkaa.org, a digital campaigning organization that mobilizes progressive Indians for impactful change. With a background in public health and human rights, she has extensive experience in women and child health, environmental issues, and monitoring public health programs. Divya specializes in facilitating workshops on social justice issues.
Gayathri Ramchandran
Gayathri Ramchandran is a Certified Resonant Healing Practitioner. Resonant Healing is a trauma-informed empathic accompaniment process for working with emotions and traumatic memories. Some of the things she does includes urban permaculture gardening and consulting, growing more than 100 species of herbs, shrubs and native trees; decolonizing world-views and our family’s relationship to food. She also gathers and grows edible weeds and food, collecting, adapting and cooking traditional Indian recipes as a way to consciously honour matrilineal forms of knowledge/wisdom.
She is a zero-waste aspirant, constantly designing ways to reduce her household’s ecological footprint. Hers is a zero wet waste household, where they have been composting for the past 20+ years and she make all of her household bio-enzyme cleaners; always-moving-asymptotically to conscious minimalist living and enoughness; communal/neighbourhood tree planting activities and conducting native tree walks; meditating; NVC practising/facilitating/living.
Gayathri is also a trained scientist (a biologist) who fled the halls of Academe — and is still integrating her schooled-scientist and unschooled-indigenous selves!
Jerusha D'Souza
Jerusha is a passionate nature enthusiast who has been trailing through her journey to conserve and preserve nature. She believes this change can be genuinely engineered through young people who, according to her, are the ones who have the will to make the difference that they wish to see. Jerusha has led several community-driven campaigns to raise awareness of single-use plastic and build sustainable, alternate methods to combat community needs.
Jigyasa Labroo
Jigyasa Labroo is the Co-Founder and CEO of Slam Out Loud (SOL), an organization that uses visual and performing arts to develop Socio-Emotional Learning skills in underprivileged children. Through partnerships with state governments and teaching artists, SOL empowers children across India, while their online curriculum reaches millions worldwide. Jigyasa, recognized as a leader in education and innovation, is passionate about finding her voice and inspires others through music, travel, and coaching.
Kuldeep Dantewadia
Kuldeep Dantewadia is a social entrepreneur and the co-founder of Reap Benefit. As an Ashoka Fellow and Forbes India 30 Under 30 awardee, he leads Reap Benefit in empowering India’s youth to tackle local environmental and civic challenges. Through their platform, they aim to develop civic skills and create a generation of problem-solving citizens, resulting in improved quality of life and resilient communities.
Maria Antony
Antony is a nature educator who finds his joy and inspiration from the little things he observes in the environment. He owes his initial jolt towards nature to his mother who has several stories to tell. He has engaged and encouraged several students, teachers, and communities in developing environmental awareness by facilitating programs in both classroom and field settings. Antony has also developed resource materials through different mediums by combining his knowledge of nature with his skills in digital illustration, caricature, storytelling, designing, and photography. Antony aims to create a generation of eco-sensitive warriors through this fellowship.
Meghana AT
Meghana AT is a passionate and versatile theatre artist who has made contributions to Mumbai’s theatre scene since 2012. She is involved in various roles such as an actor, writer, director, producer, and pedagogue. Meghana has collaborated with many theatre artists and holds a Master’s degree in Authorial Creativity and Pedagogy. Through her theatre company, ‘tafreehwale,’ she aspires to create a platform that combines playfulness, research, pedagogy, and activism, nurturing a space for innovative and socially engaged theatre.
Mihir Pathak
After dropping out of conventional schooling and breaking away from his traditional upbringing, Mihir sailed towards facilitating a self-learning space for children through varied explorative projects. Now, he leads an eco-club for children in his community where they dwell in non-conventional learning methods through clean-up drives, cycling, local awareness camps, and story writing. In his free time, you can find Mihir amid the Narmadha Ghat, where he writes journals nature to reconnect with himself.
Niharika Rajput
Niharika Rajput is a dedicated conservation sculptor who uses her artistic talent to raise awareness about wildlife preservation. She meticulously sculpts birds, capturing their intricate beauty and fragility. Niharika’s creations serve as powerful symbols, sparking conversations and inspiring action towards protecting endangered species. With her passion for art and conservation, she is sculpting a better future for wildlife, one bird at a time. Her work has been featured in a Nature in Focus article.
Pallavi MD
Pallavi MD is a singer, composer, actor and filmmaker. She comes from a family of artists and has a degree in Hindustani classical music from the Benares University. She has been performing Kannada poetry (bhavageethe) for the last twenty eight years. She has won the META Best Actress award for her solo theatrical piece C Sharp C Blunt. She has won the State award for her song in the film Duniya, and the State Kempegowda award for her contribution in the field of music. She has been awarded the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for her contribution to the field of Bhav Sangeet. She has performed jugalbandis with classical musicians, and has been a part of many fusion and world music ensembles. She has been a part of many international and interdisciplinary collaborations. She is keen on collaborating with multidisciplinary artists and looks for projects that experiment with form and content.
Rohan Chakravarty
Rohan Chakravarty, a cartoonist and illustrator based in Nagpur, is known for his series ‘Green Humour.’ Through his cartoons and comics, he addresses wildlife, nature conservation, environmental issues, sustainability, and all things green. Rohan’s passion for wildlife and conservation led him to pursue drawing, leaving behind a career in dentistry. He has also contributed illustrations to various publications and organizations, including WWF and Nat Geo Traveller. Rohan has received awards for his work and has been recognized in international and national cartoon contests.
Sangeetha Kadur
Sangeetha Kadur’s exploration into the realm of wildlife and nature painting stems from a deep appreciation for both the natural world and the arts. She aspires to create work that emphasizes the importance of our rich biodiversity, and evokes pride and respect in our natural heritage. She has been working in partnership with wildlife organizations on various art-science projects and to help build awareness through education and outreach. Combined by a strong urge to share her passion for creating art from the natural world, she co-founded ‘GreenScraps’, nature journaling workshops, with a hope to inspire a new generation of nature artists.
Sapni GK
Sapni GK is a lawyer and policy researcher who studies regulation. She is a Policy Programs Manager at Youth Ki Awaaz, bringing policy closer to young people of the country through research products, workshops and facilitating dialogues with decisionmakers. She has keen interest in technology and climate, and their intersections. She has worked with think tanks across the country, often bringing a feminist lens to her policy-related work. She is a 2022-2023 Open Internet for Democracy Leader.
Saumya Khandelwal
Saumya Khandelwal is a photojournalist based in New Delhi, India. She has made significant contributions to publications such as TIME, National Geographic, and The New York Times. With a focus on gender and environmental issues, her work has garnered recognition, including being a Getty Images Instagram Grantee in 2017 and a nominee for the World Press Photo 6X6 Global Talent Program in 2019. Over the past seven years, Khandelwal has built a portfolio in journalism and documentary photography, collaborating with organisations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Malala Fund. Her work has been exhibited globally and digitally, receiving the National Foundation of India Award in 2017.
Simran Pavecha
Simran Pavecha is building community at Youth Ki Awaaz where she is leading efforts to use storytelling, media and technology to create youth-led communities across India that create on-ground impact. She’s doing this through a combination of programs, trainings and campaigns with a special focus on campuses and their issues. Some of her work has led to students across India developing unique writing and impact portfolios. She started her career as a Campus Editor with Youth Ki Awaaz. Simran is a law student from Amity Law School Mumbai.
Snigdha Sehgal
Snigdha Sehgal is a biologist and a science and nature educator. She believes that science is best learned through curious exploration – of one’s backyards, local ecosystems, kitchens, toys, and general tinkering and that taking learning outside of classroom walls and opening it up to the wilderness fosters a deep love for nature and its beings. Snigdha works as a full-time teacher and has taught science at alternative schools for 9+ years, striving to make science fun, experiential, and relevant for children. Outside of being a full-time teacher, she also holds science and nature education workshops for children and adults.
Shilpa Mudbi Kothakota
Shilpa Mudbi Kothakota, a Bangalore-based filmmaker, theatre practitioner, storyteller, and vocalist, focuses on creating films that address rural landscapes, agriculture, women’s rights, and the environment. She has also shared her knowledge of filmmaking with students and has been involved in theater productions in Bangalore and Pondicherry. Recently, she co-founded the Urban Folk Project with Adithya Kothakota, dedicated to researching and documenting folk experiences from Karnataka and bringing them to urban audiences. In her project “Yellamma and Other Stories,” Shilpa showcases her musical talents by playing the ‘Shruti,’ a unique single-string instrument, while narrating folk tales surrounding the Goddess Renuka Yellamma.
Srivatsan Sankaran
Srivatsan Sankaran is a travel photographer, blogger, and disability rights activist. He is the founder of Madras Photo Bloggers and has been published in publications such as National Geographic. Through his photography, he promotes inclusivity and raises awareness about the abilities of individuals with disabilities, showcasing the beauty of the world and inspiring others to embrace their passions.
Srivi Kalyan
Srivi Kalyan is a multi-talented artist, designer, educator, writer, and researcher. She combines her passions for art, education, and the environment to create meaningful experiences for children. As the Founder-Director of Fooniferse Arts, she explores the intersection of arts, media, design, and self-reflection. With a focus on holistic education, Srivi believes in nurturing genuine, purpose-driven individuals and uses her expertise to develop innovative curriculums, workshops, and educational media. She is also an accomplished author and illustrator, and her work aims to engage people in important conversations about sustainability and compassion.
Vedanth Bharadwaj
A multi-faceted, multi-genre musician, Vedanth Bharadwaj specialises in singing and playing the songs of saint poets from the Bhakti and Sufi traditions at music festivals in India and across the world. He has formally learnt Carnatic, Hindustani and Western Classical music and is currently a disciple of maestro Ramamoorthy Rao.
In addition to composing music for dance/ theatre productions, award winning feature films, advertisements, documentaries, and music albums, Vedanth is the co-director of Nalandaway’s Chennai Children’s Choir (featuring young talent from economically disadvantaged backgrounds), which represented India at the Serenade Chorale Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.
Vedanth wishes to spread hope, love and peace in our world through music.
Vikram Singh
Vikram Singh is a photographer, researcher, and self-trained naturalist with a passion for life sciences and insects. Through his project “Life Meets the Lens,” he organizes exploration workshops in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India, to inspire people to appreciate the biodiversity of the natural world. With a background in botany and human genomics, Vikram combines his knowledge and love for nature to teach biology using experiential methods that engage students on a deeper level. His goal is to reconnect people with the wonders of the environment and promote conservation efforts.
Dream a Dream Foundation
Dream a Dream Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering vulnerable children and young people through life skills-based education and mentorship programs. By providing opportunities for personal growth, they aim to help these individuals overcome challenges and succeed in a rapidly changing world. Through innovative partnerships and holistic programs focused on social-emotional learning, creative arts, sports, and career development, Dream a Dream has impacted the lives of numerous children, fostering resilience, self-esteem, and confidence. Their mission is to create a brighter future for youth by equipping them with essential skills and support systems.
Conservation India
Conservation India (CI) is a volunteer-run, non-profit portal dedicated to facilitating nature conservation through reliable information and practical knowledge. Their focus is on knowledge-driven actions that prioritize the management, recovery, and expansion of wildlife habitats. CI promotes evidence-based conservation strategies and aims to inspire tangible conservation action in response to the urgent threats faced by wildlife and ecosystems. Their mission is to be a catalyst for practical conservation efforts rather than a forum for theoretical discussions.
BeFantastic
BeFantastic is a techart platform that engages an international community of techart creators and experts to push the boundaries of technology and the arts. Birthed from the experiences of Jaaga.in a social experiment that started in 2009, BeFantastic carries forth the ethos of innovation in the tech & arts, with a deep focus on community
Fields of View
Fields of View is a not-for-profit group based in Bangalore, dedicated to conducting research at the intersection of technology, social sciences, and art. Their primary goal is to design tools and methods that cater to policymakers and the public. Through their Policy Lab, they undertake research in areas like urban poverty, energy, transportation, disaster management, and water, employing simulations and games as innovative tools. They also offer training programs and workshops through their School of Policy, educating government agencies and civil society organizations across South Asia. Additionally, Fields of View develops artifacts such as graphic novels, games, and videos to enhance the accessibility and impact of policy-making processes.
First Drop Theatre
Radhika Jain and Bejoy Balagopal, founders of First Drop Theatre, share a passion for theater and the arts. They believe in the transformative power of creativity and empathy. Their vision is to build a world where individuals can fully express their true potential through high-quality awareness sessions, customized trainings, and workshops. Using tools like Applied Theatre and Expressive Arts, they offer constructive outlets for talent and ideas across various sectors, fostering reflection and personal growth.
