ArtMantram, founded by artists and professionals, promotes patronage and awareness of art. Today it is an inclusive, collaborative platform embracing craft, design, weaves, performing arts, pottery, poetry, and literature. We believe art is in everyone and for everyone — something all can understand, enjoy, and own.
Making art part of everyday life for all.
To promote the arts, artists, and art awareness, fuelling prosperity and well-being while enabling livelihoods and economic growth for artists, craftspeople, and tribal communities.
We foster appreciation for art and nature, weave cultural and environmental conservation, champion diversity, and support inclusive cultural and economic growth. Central to this is our planned Centre of Excellence in Art — preserving tribal heritage and inspiring dialogue, learning, and creativity.
Registered in Bangalore in 2010, after earlier work in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, ArtMantram has organised 500+ events, shows, and workshops, making art more accessible. We also address key social issues aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals — from health, education, and gender equality to economic growth, reduced inequality, disability inclusion, and climate action.
Mr. Sudhakar Rao, a 1973-batch IAS officer, retired as Chief Secretary of Karnataka in 2009. Post-retirement, he served as a Member of the PESB, Chairman of BSE Ltd., and held key roles in Indian Oil, BFSI, and Manipal Group. He is currently an Independent Director on boards such as L&T-IDPL and Tata Elxsi. Passionate about arts and heritage, he has chaired the Advisory Committee of the NGMA Bengaluru and the Bangalore School of Music. A Harvard alumnus with a master’s from the Delhi School of Economics, he was awarded the Kannada Rajyotsava Award for Public Service in 2020.
Mr. Lakshminarayan M, Industry Leader, Philanthropist
Mr. Lakshminarayan, an IIT Bombay graduate with a Master’s in Technology, has over 35 years of leadership experience in Bosch and Tata Motors. At Bosch, he served as MD for India and led expansions and quality projects. In 2009, he launched Harman operations in India, growing it into a major employer. He is Chairman of ZF Commercial Vehicle Solutions (India) and TVS Automotive Solutions, and serves on the boards of TVS Electronics and Brose Automotive. A civic leader, he co-founded the Bangalore City Connect Foundation, which developed SURE standards. He has also led CII Southern Region and Bangalore Chamber of Commerce.
Nadoja Dr. MANU BALIGAR, Dr. Manu Baligar, former President of Kannada Sahitya Parishath, was born in Shigli, Karnataka, in 1953. A distinguished civil servant, he held key roles, including Commissioner of Kannada & Culture and CEO of the Roerich Estate Board. He has authored 30 works across genres, including short stories, poems, essays, and translations, many of which are academic references. Dr. Baligar has received prestigious honors, including the Nadoja Award (2019) and an honorary doctorate from Karnataka University (2011). During his tenure, KaSaPa built 31 Sahitya Bhavanas and hosted milestone literary conferences, including the first Mahila and Dalita Sahitya Sammelanas in 2019
Subir Hari Singh (b. 1953) a retired career civil servant with 38 years experience including significant tenures in industrial development, urban development, housing, tourism and culture. Since 2013, he has been associated with the Indian Heritage Cities Network, and currently serves as the Chairman. He is also Honorary President of Association of People with Disability – a 63 year-old NGO that deals with disabilities from infancy to middle-age. He currently resides in Bangalore with his wife.
Ms. Shama Pawar, a social innovator and conservationist, is the founder of The Kishkinda Trust and Convener of INTACH Anegundi Hampi Chapter. Since 1996, she has been driving rural development in Anegundi, Hampi, within a heritage setting. Known for her ground-level application of concepts, she has initiated multidisciplinary projects to conserve resources and generate livelihoods through rural tourism, culture, and crafts. An advocate of site-specific solutions, her work benefits both tourists and local communities. Notable projects under her leadership include AHVY Banana Fiber Cluster, UNDP Endogenous Tourism, Rural Tourism (GOI), and the Craft Tourism Village by the Ministry of Textiles.
Mr. N. Sivasailam, Administrative Member of the Karnataka State Administrative Tribunal, holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering (Delhi College of Engineering), MBA (FMS, Delhi), and a Master’s in Social Policy (LSE). A 1985-batch IAS officer, he retired in April 2020. He held key roles, including Special Secretary (Logistics, Commerce) and (Telecom, GOI), Additional Chief Secretary (Public Enterprises), Principal Secretary (Health, Forests), and MD of Bangalore Metro. He also served as Deputy Commissioner (Hassan) and Project Director
(Health). Passionate about sports, music, entrepreneurship, metro rail, telecom, and logistics, he assumed his current role on 17th June 2020.
He is a former member of Indian Forest service and was head of the forest force of Karnataka Forest Department as Principal chief Conservator of Forest in addition to chief wildlife warden.Presently I am chairman of ABS Karnataka Biodiversity Board. I am also chairman of Network for Certification and Conservation of Forests India..a non govt organization engaged in certification and sustainability aspects of natural resources. My area of focus is overall development of tribals by creating sustainable livelihood opportunities besides protecting their art and culture . Having been a professional forester I am well
aware of the challenges faced by tribals and am happy to contribute towards the vision of Drishyam.
ISC 1969, BSC (Maths) 1973, MBA (Cran) 1980, Worked for several years and in several countries with a shipping and trading company. 1975-1983. Ran own shipping and trading business (1983-2015) Was one of the promoters of Airtel 1991. Now retired but affiliated to the Boards of several companies.
Muralist for more than 30yrs Created & curated mix media interior
co-ordinates. Started the concept of Vastu Doors & Windows way back in late 1980’s. Aspiring Filmmaker from New York Film Academy.
Completed Executive Courses from Harvard & ISB. Trained into Pilates for 11 yrs. My Mantra..Stability Over Mobility! I am in pursuit of all forms of creativity to keep Reinventing myself. Taught creative positivity to differently abled & challenged. I am just ‘Me Trying to Empower Myself and many along with me. From Ordinary to Extraordinary. I am a Green Warrior too!!!!
Mr. Jeyakrishnan Sukumaran, a seasoned marketing professional, has 37 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, including as Director – Marketing and Board Member of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (2016–2019). Known for his intercultural competence, he represented India at global forums like the World Petroleum Council and World LPG Forum. He served as Chairman of Aavantika Gas Ltd and board member of multiple corporations. A member of the Expert Appraisal Committee (Ministry of Environment), he is an alumnus of Harvard Business School, Cambridge University, and IIM Kolkata. He specializes in leadership development and effective corporate governance.
V$ijay Tadimalla, Managing Partner of T. Sriram, Mehta & Tadimalla Chartered Accountants, has vast expertise in Corporate Advisory, Audit, and Assurance. Trained at Deloitte, Haskins & Sells, he co-founded the firm in 2003, leading its Audit & Assurance Division. A fellow member of ICAI, he specializes in Internal Audits, Risk Profiling, Forensic Audits, and Promoter Advisory, helping corporates adopt best practices and structured systems. He serves as an Advisor/Director on various boards and is active in Rotary International, holding leadership roles. Vijay mentors philanthropic organizations, advises sports and education projects, and is a Director at the Padukone Dravid Center for Sports Excellence.
After post-graduate Masters in Mass Communication, she joined the advertising industry, worked as a copywriter and creative head in several National agencies before starting her own Agency Livewires
advertising pvt Ltd in 1988. Building up business from scratch gave her tremendous experience in client services, media relations and production. Marketing being the essential core. The nature work involved an astute understanding of human behavior, social trends and different influencers in society and an effective manager of people. These skills are effective in the social sector. An active member of the Ekta Foundation, a non profit organization in the UK(2002). involved in Second Chance, an initiative that promotes recycling of used items.
Harshan is Founder Chairman of the award winning advertising agency, Stark Communications; well known for their global tourism marketing campaigns for Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, India etc…
Across 40-year career in advertising and publishing, Harshan has been a Director of reputed companies, in India & overseas, like Pinnacle Advertising (Bahrain & UAE), Stark World Publishing, EMO Paris, The Great India Tour Company etc & has held senior positions at Mudra/DDB Needham, Lintas, Contract Advertising etc. He is considered an authority on tourism marketing & has been closely involved in the positioning and marketing of Kerala (as God’s Own Country). Harshan holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management (MBA) from XLRI Jamshedpur and a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from RPIMC (Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan) where he was a national gold medalist in writing and editing.
