Past Programmes

Core Team

Dr. Rashmi Poddar - Director

Rashmi Poddar, former Director (Aesthetics) at the Department of Philosophy, University of Mumbai is now the Director of Jnanapravaha Mumbai (JPM). Rashmi was awarded a doctorate for her thesis, "Rasa and Ananda - A Visual Discovery", by the University of Mumbai in 1997. Her path-breaking methodology of viewing and understanding Indian classical art has opened up new vistas and theories in the field of art history and research.

Smriti Morarka - Joint Director & Trustee

Smriti Morarka, has always been a keen student of history, and in her early years was exposed to the world of art. By profession she is a textile revivalist, and works under the banner of TANTUVI. Tantuvi revives Banarsi handloom sarees and ensures that the weaver as an artist preserves and revives his dying heritage. It also ensures that the aesthetically inclined buyer has an opportunity to indulge her penchant for these beautiful woven works of art.

Kaiwan Mehta - Course Director, Art, Criticism and Theory (ACT), Tutor, Indian Aesthetics

Kaiwan Mehta studied Architecture, Literature, Indian Aesthetics and Cultural Studies. He is a theorist and critic in the fields of visual culture and architecture, currently pursuing a doctorate at the Centre for the Study of Culture and Society, Bangalore. While being involved in teaching, writing and research on architecture and the city, visual culture and aesthetics, he has been associated with many institutions in India and abroad. He has held editorial positions with the official magazine of the Council of Architecture (India) and IA&B. Mehta is author of 'Alice in Bhuleshwar - Navigating a Mumbai Neighbourhood' (Yoda Press, New Delhi: 2009) and participated as researcher and scholar in the ADACH (Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage) Pavilion for the Visual Arts at the Venice Biennale 2009 under Artistic Director, Catherine David. He is published in edited volumes like 'Chawls of Mumbai, Galleries of Life' by Neera Adarkar, 'Fetish and Consumption' by Catherine Perret, and Mumbai Reader 09 by UDRI. In December 2010 he established, 'Arbour: Research Initiatives in Architecture', as founder-Director.

Bhanuj Kappal – Administrative Executive

Bhanuj is a writer and music critic. A journalist by training, his areas of interest include music, cultural politics and cultural resistance.