Cultural Continuum: New Pathways for India’s Creative Economy

Asad Lalljee is the Senior Vice President of Essar Group, CEO of Avid Learning—a public programming initiative and creative platform under the Essar Group—and Curator of the Royal Opera House, Mumbai. Before relocating to India, he spent 14 years as one of the ‘Mad Men’ advertising executives on New York's Madison Avenue. Asad has transformed Avid Learning into India’s leading cultural hub through international collaborations and partnerships with the country’s biggest art platforms. Since the restoration of the Royal Opera House, his curatorial programming has re-established its reputation as the city’s cultural crown jewel. He has been a member of the prestigious Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry's Art and Culture Committee since 2018 (now FICCI's Tourism and Culture Committee), co-convening national conferences on the creative economy across Kochi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and New Delhi. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the Kala Ghoda Association and the advisory board of the Mumbai Urban Art Festival. Amid the pandemic (April 2020), Asad pivoted from Avid Learning to Avid Online, presenting 240 programs in a year. An early adopter of technology trends, he specializes in new media, curating programs around AI and the cyberfuture. Asad holds a B.A. in Economics from St. Xavier's College and an M.A. in Global Marketing Communications from Emerson College, Boston.

Sadhana Rao is a research-led writer and curator in the Arts & Culture spaces. She has written on Arts, Film festivals, Music, Crafts, Travel, Literature, & Socio-Economics for leading publications. As a curator, Sadhana works with artists and conservatories across genres to weave narrative-backed lecture demonstrations and performances. Amalgamating pedagogy, artistic diversity and inclusivity, her endeavours find home among myriad platforms, from academic conclaves to cultural festivals to the community at large. Living in Bangalore she continues to be a student of the Arts.

Sanjoy K. Roy, an entrepreneur of the arts, is Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, which produces over thirty highly acclaimed performing arts, visual arts and literary festivals across forty cities in countries such as Australia, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, UK and USA, including the world’s largest literary gathering: the annual Jaipur Literature Festival. Roy is a founder-trustee of Salaam Baalak Trust, which provides support services for street and working children in the inner city of Delhi. He works closely with various industry bodies on important policy issues within the cultural space in India and is co-chair of the Art and Culture Committee of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry; he is a former president of the Event and Entertainment Management Association and Earth Day Network’s official Global Advisory Committee and is the current co-chair of Catalyst Now. He has been awarded an honorary doctorate by York University, UK. He lives in Gurgaon with his family.

Wife of Mr. Ravi Ruia, the Vice Chairman of the Essar Group, Mrs. Madhu Ruia has always believed in continuous learning programs. She founded Avid Learning in 2009 as a platform that creates opportunities for curious lifelong learners to cross their existing boundaries and interact with experienced masters in arts, culture, and new-age topics like NFTs and cryptocurrency. Her interest in Hindu religious thought led her to complete online and offline courses at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies. She was subsequently invited to join their board and now holds an honorary position at the prestigious institution. As a board member of The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies (OCHS)—an academy dedicated to the study of Hindu cultures, societies, philosophies, religions, and languages—she continues to support its mission of academic excellence. A firm believer in lifelong learning, she pursued several courses at the New School in New York City, culminating in the establishment of the Avid Learning platform. An accomplished sitar exponent, she showcased her musical talent on the program titled Ubharte Swar on Lucknow TV. Additionally, she is a self-taught artist and sculptor, winning an award from the Lalit Kala Academy. Mrs. Madhu Ruia is also a founding member of the Sahachari Foundation and Sahachari Foundation Events, which organize cultural initiatives and the prestigious Design One exhibitions in Mumbai and Delhi. Held 4-5 times a year, these events empower emerging talent and raise funds for deserving NGOs, while providing a platform for creative designers to connect with consumers in a growing market.

Adil Dholakia is a conservation architect and researcher who specializes in community engagement via heritage management, conservation, and development activities within rural and urban precincts. The practices’ research and NGO arm attempts to investigate the inherent linkages between the heritage environment and the intangible attributes to socio-cultural-economic-ecological frameworks. He holds a double master's degree in urban design, heritage conservation, and restoration from Brandenburg Technical University in Germany and Alexandria University in Egypt. With operations spanning across India, Germany & Egypt, fostering cross-cultural exchanges of expertise, resources, and technology. This collaboration enables innovative approaches to heritage conservation, cultural preservation, and civic architecture.

Arjun Malik There was always a certain inevitability about my decision to be an architect. It was ultimately the paradoxical nature of the profession, and the belief, through constant exposure to my father’s practice, that architecture, like cinema or literature, was a medium for commentary and personal expression, that led me down this path. I completed my bachelor's in architecture at the Rachana Sansad Academy of Architecture and went on to receive a Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University in New York. I returned to join my father’s 30-year-old firm in 2005. Through our work, we have tried to develop an idiom that would reconcile the intellectual and intuitive aspects of architecture, that would provide a tangible link to the past without getting nostalgic, that would be technologically progressive without being experientially stunted, and that would, ultimately, speak through the intangible science of perceptual phenomena. The current overemphasis on the intellectual and conceptual dimensions of architecture has contributed to the disappearance of the physical, sensual, and embodied essence of architecture. In our practice, we focus more on generic metaphors rather than specific analogs, relying on the intuitive reading of context, allegory, and functional parameters to generate topological shifts. Empirical mathematical processes are tempered with the exploration of phenomenological precepts to generate architecture that transcends the merely intellectual and visual and addresses the often-ignored experiential aspects of architecture.  

Brinda Miller wears many hats! Having studied at Sir. J.J School of Arts, Mumbai (Textile Design) and at Parsons School of Design, New York (Drawing and Painting), Brinda is a mixed- media artist and has showcased her work through several important art exhibitions. She plays multiple roles as an ‘Art and Culture Catalyst’ As Hon. Chairperson of Kala Ghoda Association, she also looks into the restoration of the monuments in this famous heritage Art District of Mumbai. Her concern for Architectural heritage and the environment has led her to actively participate in several art projects in public spaces. She has also been Hon. Festival Director of the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, almost since its inception- KGAF will celebrate its 25 th edition in 2025. Brinda has also been on the Advisory Committee of National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai Currently she is Hon. Consultant at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (formerly Prince of Wales Museum), Mumbai. She is also on the Advisory board of the CSMVS Children’s Museum. She is also Director of her firm Miller Designs LLP

Elsie Nanji has created ideas and images over the last 4 decades, with a unique aesthetic that has blurred the line between art and commerce. Working within a cultural and social context over the last 40 years, she has shifted her focus from advertising to pure design in the world of graphics, environmental branding, and interiors. She feels fortunate to have worked, and to continue working, with some of the greatest minds in photography, film, creative writing, art, design, and architecture. Hers is a journey constantly leading to new ideas, executions, and installations for major brands, corporate offices, hospitals, museums, and homes. Elsie joined the world of advertising, starting her career in Lintas, then went on to join Ogilvy and moved to Enterprise, working on some of the most iconic campaigns of that time. She was awarded “Art Director of the Year” for 3 consecutive years by the Communication Arts Guild.At the age of 30, she was offered a partnership at advertising agency Ambience, where she created some of the most memorable work of that time, including work on brands like Thums Up, Bisleri, Garden Vareli, Lakme, Sil Jams, Saffola, Tuff shoes, and Atmosphere furnishings. She is a multiple award winner at both Indian and international award shows, including the Clio Awards, Cannes Lions, D&AD, and The One Show. Elsie has represented India as a returning jury member in these international award shows and was appointed chairperson at design juries in Spikes Asia and Goa Fest. In March 2023, Elsie was recognised as one of the 100 most influential architects and interior designers taking Indian architecture and interior design into the future. Ever since her shift into Interior spaces, she has won this award for the last 6 years consecutively. She has been designing spaces, including notable projects, like the corporate museum for Mahindra, the RPG offices and lobby, Breach Candy Hospital Physiotherapy units, Aer bar at the Four Seasons hotel, and several private residences.

Kamalika Bose is the founder of Heritage Synergies India, a leading Mumbai-based consultancy specialising in urban conservation and museum design. She has led significant museum projects including the Heritage Hall at Naval Dockyard Mumbai, Museum Ship Khukri in Diu, and INS Mormugao. A member of Maritime Mumbai Museum Society and the Museum Society of Mumbai, Kamalika delivered their Diamond Jubilee lecture Trade, Treaties and Triumph: Maritime Currents of India’s Western Seaboard. She serves on the Committee for Restoration and Modernisation of Indian Museum, Kolkata and the Steering Committee of ICOMOS India Scientific Council. A Fulbright Scholar with a Master’s in Historic Preservation Planning from Cornell University, Kamalika is trained at Smithsonian Cooper Hewitt Design Museum and Historic Districts Council, New York. She has globally represented India at the EU’s Global Cultural Leadership Program, France’s Sejour Culture and SAH-Getty Foundation Fellowship. A prolific author of six books, including The Hoysala Legacy, Kamalika’s thought leadership bridges conservation, culture, and design—advancing a people-centred approach to preserving India’s diverse heritage.

Michaela Talwar is an artrepreneur based in Mumbai and co-founder of Harkat Studios, a multi-disciplinary arts studio and alternative performance space. A trained journalist with a business school degree, she likes to combine the best from all worlds.

Ar. Nandini Sampat is the Principal Architect at Somaya Sampat, headquartered in Mumbai. She is dedicated to crafting architecture that thoughtfully embodies the identity of a nation by fostering inclusivity, honouring cultural heritage, and advocating for sustainable resource use. At Somaya Sampat, she has nurtured a research-driven practice, constantly exploring new building methodologies and techniques. Working closely with Ar. Brinda Somaya, she ensures the studio upholds its legacy of integrity and excellence in design and service. Their work spans the spectrum of contemporary institutional and corporate campuses, the preservation of heritage structures, and the complex design of museum spaces and digital experience centres. Nandini holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Smith College, USA, and qualified as a solicitor from the College of Law, London. Her professional journey began in corporate law in India before she pursued her passion for design. She earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Interior Design from the Inchbald School of Design, London, and a Bachelor of Architecture from Rizvi College of Architecture, Mumbai. Continuing her academic education, she completed ‘The Architectural Imagination’ by HarvardX and a Postgraduate Diploma in ‘The Indian Temple’ from Jnanapravaha. A recognized thought leader in the architectural community, Nandini has contributed to prestigious publications and served on numerous juries and panels. As a trustee of the HECAR Foundation, she played a pivotal role in curating the Women in Design International Conference in 2020. Her contributions have garnered numerous accolades that include the Forbes India’s 'The Bold Club' Top 30 Architects- 2021, listed on the Blooloop 50 Museum Influencers list- 2022, and TEDx Lavale speaker in 2020, where she explored the evolution of Indian workspaces. The People of Mumbai exhibition, curated and designed by Nandini at the Mumbai Gallery of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS), opened in November 2024 as a tribute to the city’s rich cultural tapestry. Celebrated with the Baby Blue Elephant at the Kyoorius Design Awards 2025 in the Architecture Spatial Design (Exhibitions) category, it is recognized as a landmark achievement in cultural and design innovation.

Oormi Kapadia is an Architect, Urban Designer and founding partner at PLURAL – a collaborative urban research and planning studio based in Mumbai and Goa. She heads the Project Research and Policy Planning division and shares her expertise in ideas of sustainability at various scales. She has worked extensively on large scaled urban design and planning projects in India and USA. She is a LEED AP and a qualified TERI Griha trainer. She is currently involved in policy research that informs the quality of affordable housing and dignity of living in a city. She is also involved in community design and place making projects with Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. She was invited to share their award-winning Community land trust development model for Dharavi slums at the UN Habitat conference in Brussels, Europe. She writes on urban issues on various platforms. She is a co-author of 6 Metros – Urban Planning and Implementation Compared. Oormi teaches as a visiting faculty in various Architectural colleges in Mumbai and Goa. She received her Master’s degree in Urban Design from University of Texas at Austin.

Rahul Gore has studied architecture at the Center for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) in Ahmedabad and completed his master's degree in urban design at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). In January 2001, Rahul Gore, along with Sonal Sancheti, set up _OPOLIS, a multidisciplinary design practice. Since then, the firm has grown from strength to strength, winning several national as well as international awards, and has been widely published. Opolis has successfully completed the Bihar Museum, Patna project – won as an international competition along with Maki and Associates, Tokyo. _OPOLIS in collaboration with RJB-CPL is currently engaged in the recently won competitions for two Museums – the Gujarat Vandana Museum and the Museum for the Royal Kingdoms of India- both in Kewadia, Gujarat. Rahul is an avid traveler, a sports and fitness enthusiast, and loves his game of tennis, his runs, and workouts.

Ratan J Batliboi is the founder-director of RJB-CPL, is the force behind an innovative and progressive firm that has been in operation since the late 80s, with a portfolio of several hundred projects. The firm boasts a team of qualified, committed, and sensitive professionals who offer unique design solutions across a range of typologies. The innovative attitude, technical soundness and collaborative approach are the differentiators that enable the team to treat each new project with renewed energy and continually update their skills required in an ever-evolving industry. Taking forward RJB-CPL’s philosophy is a range of museum & exhibition projects which reflect a fusion of art, science, and technology. For RJB-CPL, each project surpasses the brief to take the design to the next level, generate fresh concepts, and contribute to the expanding body of knowledge in the industry.

Srila Chatterjee spent 25 years helming Highlight Films, which nurtured much talent and furthered many a successful career in cinema, fashion, production and set design. She curated the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival in its early years, co-founded blueFROG - the iconic music venue and co-founded Baro : a furniture and craft based concept store where she curated a year long art and cultural calendar and created an iconic brand. In 2020 she founded Baro Market with its iconic bazars based on craft and its focus on affordable art, and in 2022 she co-founded 47-A, a gallery for design located in the historic village of Khotachi Wadi in Bombay. Srila is the Creative Head for all of Baro Market’s verticals. In addition, she styles interior spaces for people who are charmed by her distinctive style, and curates art experiences that are original and exhilarating.

Dr. Tejas Garge, the present Director of the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra is working in the field of Archaeology and Heritage Management for past two decades. Specializing in Harappan Civilisation and Firearms, his other areas of interest are Museum and Exhibitions, Indian Art and Architecture Forts and Fortifications, Marine Archaeology, Heritage Management and Legislation. Dr. Garge completed his PhD from the Deccan College, Pune and PG diploma in Field Archaeology from Institute of Archaeology, New Delhi. He worked as Research Associate in Indian Archaeological Society, then in ASI as an Assistant Archaeologist from2003 and signed off as a Deputy Superintending Archaeologist in April 2017 in various parts of the country. He directed excavation at Koloshi, and participated many excavations of national importance. He was deputed to China as Curatorial Associate for International Exhibition - ‘Treasures of Ancient India’ and to Paul Getty Museum, LA, USA for an International Workshop on Buddhism. Dr. Garge has presented papers in various seminars and delivered talks. He is associated with various Universities as a resource person and visiting faculty. He is member of several academic Societies, the Governor of MMR Heritage Society and Trustee at CSMVS, Mumbai. He has authored 2 books, 7 joint monographs, 31 research papers and popular write-ups in newspapers as well as magazines in English and Marathi.

Dr. Usha R. Balakrishnan is a Mumbai-based Cultural Capital Consultant and the leading historian of Indian jewellery. She is the Chief Curator of the World Diamond Museum and holds a Ph.D. in Ancient Indian Culture and a post-doctorate in Museum Studies from New York University. Her professional experience includes work with the Brooklyn Museum, Sotheby’s, the Fowler Museum, Flint Institute of Arts and several prestigious institutions. Dr. Balakrishnan has authored and edited landmark publications such as Munnu: Vision & Passion, Jewels of the Nizams, Dance of the Peacock, Diamonds Across Time, and Treasures of the Deccan. She has curated major exhibitions including Alamkāra: The Beauty of Ornament (National Museum, New Delhi), India: Jewels that Enchanted the World (Moscow Kremlin Museum), Shringara: Adornment (CSMVS, Mumbai), and most recently, the Museum of Meenakari Heritage, Jaipur. She served on the expert committee for Kerala Museums and has been instrumental in conceptualizing, designing, and developing innovative museum projects.

Vice Admiral IC Rao joined the National Defence Academy as a cadet in 1952 and served in the Indian Navy for 37 years. He was the Chief Engineer of the Aircraft carrier Vikrant and the Frigates, Trishul and Cauvery. He was the Commanding Officer of INS Shivaji at Lonavla, the Admiral Superintendent of the Naval Dockyard at Mumbai and Chief of Materiel at naval Headquarters. On retirement from the Navy, he was Director (Projects) of BHP Engineers from 1995 to 2013 dealing with supply of bulk handling equipment for coastal ships. He is the president of the advocacy group APLI Mumbai which participated in the proposals for the regeneration of the Mumbai’s Eastern Waterfront and the current draft development plan of the Mumbai Port Authority. He is a founding member of Maritime Mumbai Museum Society. He is the author of the article on Sassoon Dock in the newly published compilation by the Maritime Mumbai Museum Society titled “Gateways to the Sea: Historic Ports and Docks of Mumbai Region.

Vivek Narain is the Co-Founder & CEO of Q COLLECTIVE, a Pan-India experiential and ideas-led lifestyle hospitality platform, rooted in culture, community & wellness.  Vivek along with his wife, Sonya co-founded The Quorum Club in 2018 with the intention of reinventing the existing landscape of the members’ club business in India, bringing in a contemporary and global perspective. Prior to setting-up The Quorum, Vivek headed development for Fairmont Raffles Hotels International and was responsible for the group’s growth efforts across South Asia. Vivek started his career in banking, and in 2006 led a India-focused hospitality SPAC, which at the time was one of the largest foreign investments in the hospitality industry in India. Vivek did his undergraduate at American University, Kogod School of Business, Washington D.C. where he majored in Finance and Economics.  Vivek is passionate about urban environment and is an active supporter of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) where he is a member and part of the founding Executive Committee of ULI India.