Creative Sector Education: Meet the Educators

Farzana Cama Balpande A born-and-bred Bandra girl, Farzana graduated from H.R. College in 1993 and spent the next 23 years building a career in early childhood education — launching two preschools, daycare centres, and Mumbai's first kids' gym, and later heading the Early Childhood Department at Kwakids Learning (Kidville's India franchisee). In 2014, she pivoted to social impact with BookASmile, which evolved into BookAChange by BookMyShow Foundation. As its Head, Farzana has spent over a decade championing access to music and the performing arts for marginalised communities, empowering communities and inspiring the next generation of industry talent. Her work brings together social impact and the performing arts to explore how access can open doors, nurture talent, and create meaningful change. Off duty, she's happiest on a road trip or playing with her dogs.

Dr. Poonam Gandhi An academic, sociologist, and cultural researcher, Dr. Gandhi is the Associate Dean of Experiential Programs and an Associate Professor of Sociology at FLAME University. Her research examines the intersections of art, gender, heritage, urban life, and ageing (social gerontology), bringing a nuanced understanding of how culture shapes societies and how societies, in turn, shape culture. Her work has received national and international recognition, including research support from the Ford Foundation and SEWA, and accolades from conferences in Washington D.C. and across India. She has published widely in leading peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes, both nationally and internationally. Most recently, she authored a white paper on the Cultural Policy of Maharashtra, contributing to ongoing conversations around cultural governance and the preservation of India's artistic heritage.

Bruce Guthrie A theatre director, producer, and cultural leader, Bruce Guthrie has spent decades shaping some of the world's most exciting stages and creative communities. As Head of Theatre and Films at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai, he has championed initiatives that nurture emerging talent and strengthen theatre ecosystems, including Connections India, Backstage Pass, and The Art of the Possible. He founded Darpan, a new writing platform for the Marathi Theatre Festival, Pratibimb, and has led landmark collaborations with the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META), as well as reviving the Vasant Gujarati Theatre Festival. His career spans acclaimed productions in London's West End and New York, alongside large-scale international events and cultural collaborations across continents — including directing performances for HRH The Prince of Wales' 70th birthday, the Welsh Guards Centenary celebrations, and events for the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Bruce has served as a judge for the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards, a selector for the Association of Asia Pacific Performing Arts Centres, and a jury member for the EEMAX Global Awards. He is a former Artistic Director of the National Youth Theatre of Wales and serves on the Advisory Board of the Guildford School of Acting.

Asad Lalljee is SVP, 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, Asad worked for 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 some of the country’s biggest cultural platforms. A distinguished member of the FICCI Art and Culture Committee (now the Tourism and Culture Committee) since 2018, Asad has convened multi-stakeholder conferences in Mumbai and Bengaluru to democratise the arts. His is a story of drive, intent, and fearlessness. Since the Royal Opera House's restoration, Asad’s curatorial programming has re-established its reputation as the city’s cultural crown jewel. He also serves on the Kala Ghoda Association’s Executive Committee and is an Executive Committee Member of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage’s (INTACH) Greater Mumbai Chapter for 2026/27. He previously served on the advisory board of the Mumbai Urban Art Festival for 2022–23. In April 2020, Asad pivoted from AVID to AVID ONLINE, presenting 240 programs within a year. An early adopter of technology trends, he takes a special interest in new media, curating programs around NFTs and the cyber future. In 2026, Asad Lalljee joined a global cohort of cultural leaders as a Salzburg Global Fellow. Asad holds a B.A. in Economics from St. Xavier’s College and an M.A. in Global Marketing Communications from Emerson College, Boston.