Leadership

Kaluram Bamniya

Advisor

Renowned folk artist Mr. Kaluram Bamniya was honored with the Padma Shri Award by the Government of India in 2024. This prestigious recognition was bestowed upon him for his outstanding contribution to the preservation and promotion of Indian folk culture and traditional singing. Mr. Bamniya’s life is a remarkable testament to perseverance and dedication. In his early years, he worked as a farm laborer and bonded worker. Despite enduring nearly 14 years of hard labor, he continued to sing Kabirvani in the Malvi dialect—a form deeply connected to the hearts of the people. He brings to life the spiritual verses of saints like Kabir, Meera Bai, and Gorakhnath through the Malvi folk tradition, earning him the affectionate title, “Kabir of Malwa.” His popularity gradually spread through community gatherings and devotional events across the Indore and Dewas regions. Despite extremely limited resources, he remained unwavering in his devotion to folk art. There was even a time when he did not own a bicycle and would walk 5 to 5.5 kilometers on foot to attend programs. Upon receiving the Padma Shri, he said with emotion, "A new sun has risen in my life." He dedicated the award to the entire Malwa region, expressing heartfelt gratitude to his wife, family members, and elders for their blessings and support. His achievement is not just a personal milestone—it is a beacon of inspiration for the entire region.

Mamta Chandrashekhar

Advisor

Professor Mamta Chandrashekhar is a distinguished academician, prolific author, profound thinker, eloquent speaker, hymnal practitioner, and accomplished researcher. With a career spanning several decades in education and cultural scholarship, she has made remarkable contributions to the fields of literature, research, and education. In recognition of her lifelong work, she has been conferred with the honorary degree of Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.). Professor Mamta has authored 22 books on diverse subjects, and more than 200 of her articles, research papers, short stories, and poems have been published in esteemed national and international journals and magazines. Notably, three of her books have been translated into German and French, extending her literary influence to a global readership. She serves on the editorial boards of the International Journal of Political Science (Kasetsart University, Bangkok) and the International Forum of Political Science (New York), where she contributes significantly to global academic discourse. Her outstanding achievements have been recognized with numerous prestigious honors, including the Madhya Pradesh Sahitya Akademi Award, the Creative Writing Award from the National Human Rights Commission (New Delhi), and the National Alma Award, among others. Professor Mamta continues to inspire with her unwavering commitment to academic and cultural excellence.

Ashoke Shreemaal

President and Director Operation

Ashoke is currently pursuing a PhD and has over 10 years of experience in hospitality and event management. He is passionate about helping governments scale business through tourism. As the visionary leader of KalaVyom, he is responsible for its long-term vision, planning, and performance monitoring. Under his leadership, Kalavyom has emerged as one of the leading arts and culture institutions. He has defined the organization's goals, success metrics, messaging, and best practices for implementation, and has developed planning standards and policies for the institution. Ashoke is the backbone of KalaVyom, dedicated to the cause of arts and culture, and plays a crucial role in bringing the dream of providing a platform for emerging talents in the field of performing arts to life. His leadership has been instrumental in the implementation of key developmental aspects of Kalavyom, and the organization is now expanding across the country under his guidance. He ensures that Kalavyom moves forward with maximum growth, core values, and the ability to provide differentiated services to young artists, blending technology and business development effectively.

Aparna Bhosle

Secretary and Director Planning

Aparna has made a significant contribution to the planning and implementation of KalaVyom’s initiatives. She is responsible for building and maintaining business relationships, as well as directing the implementation of equal opportunity policies in all aspects of KalaVyom’s work. Aparna leads and develops the strategic direction of the foundation, setting goals, defining success metrics, developing best practices, and establishing planning standards and policies for implementation. She has introduced many important initiatives and innovations at KalaVyom, which have proven to be beneficial not only for the development of art and culture but also for enhancing the livelihood prospects of artists. Aparna is truly the soul of the foundation, embodying its spirit with dedication and passion.

Narendra Singh

Director, Partnerships

Narendra Singh utilizes his fervor for art, culture, and tourism to bring about a significant impact. With unwavering dedication to sustainable progress, his exceptional leadership serves as a catalyst for a shared commitment to constructing a future where the coexistence of art, culture, tourism, and empowerment flourishes harmoniously.

Aishwarya Bhattacharyya

Director, Research and Development

Aishwarya Bhattacharyya became a part of this family in 2022, initially as a documentation consultant. She has been educated at Presidency College, University of Calcutta, and Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. She has worked with reputed institutions and organizations such as the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, NewGlobe Education, National Council of Educational Research and Training, and others. She is currently affiliated with York University, Toronto, and is personally invested in building just social infrastructure through experiential learning and capacity building. A policy science professional, she is excited about building GyanVyom as a dynamic collaboration platform for governments and businesses to come together to create just futures.

Pankaj Jain

Director, Program

Pankaj Jain is an experienced and visionary professional, recognized for his exceptional expertise in program planning, management, and execution. He has successfully led numerous national initiatives in the fields of art, culture, education, tourism, and development. Through these endeavors, he has not only achieved organizational objectives but has also made a positive and lasting impact on participating communities and stakeholders.

Shyam Kaushik

Director, Marketing

The visionary personality Kaushik, utilizes his fervor for art, culture and tourism to bring about a significant impact. With an unwavering dedication to sustainable progress, His exceptional leadership serves as a catalyst for a shared commitment to constructing a future where the coexistence of art, culture, tourism and empowerment flourishes harmoniously.

Mohit Singh

Director, Projects

Mohit plays a crucial role in decision-making and approvals, effectively supporting the KF- ELLL. She’s refined processes and now focuses on organizational strategies, collaborating on challenges and structures. Known for his unwavering dedication and meticulous approach, his precise work reflects a deep commitment to driving positive change and making a meaningful impact. Mohit has immense experience in managing large teams, bringing out the best in team members, and maximizing their performance.

Sukhpreet Bagga

Director, Communications

Sukhpreet uses his knowledge of management to bring a significant impact to KF- ELLL. With unwavering dedication to sustainable progress, his exceptional leadership serves as a catalyst for a shared commitment to building a future where arts, culture, tourism, and empowerment co-exist and thrive harmoniously.