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Meet The Team

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Founder; CEO

Geetha Bhat

Geetha has been working with the Deevaru Community for over two decades. With her fieldwork, numerous introductory workshops on Chittara have been conducted in several educational institutions across the country. Her research has also led her to presenting papers about Chittara in international conferences in Japan.

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Co-author & Photographer - Deevara Chittara Book

Smitha Tumuluru

Smitha is a documentary photographer and writer exploring rural livelihoods, gender, art, and culture through research-based visual storytelling. Since 2017, she has documented Tamil Nadu’s Irular tribe for PARI and won the 2024 Feature of the Year at the Rainbow Lit Fest – Queer & Inclusive. 

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Design Consultant

Namrata Cavale

Namrata is a multi-disciplinary designer with a passion for indigenous arts, crafts and textiles. She works with NGOs and social enterprises on building their products and aesthetics, through a systemic approach which fosters sustainability. She has worked across textile craft, skill development, upcycling and special-needs spaces.

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Operations Coordinator

Chaitali Das

Chaitali Das is a theatre practitioner and cultural coordinator with over five years of experience bringing creative projects to life. At CFRIA, she manages the day-to-day operations and coordination of workshops, exhibitions, and logistics, helping bring the organisation's cultural and community programs to life.

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Outreach Consultant

Suhasini B V

Suhasini B.V. is a communications and marketing professional with experience in digital strategy, social media management, content development, and outreach for arts and cultural initiatives. She works on building the organisation's digital presence, strengthening audience engagement, and expanding the reach of the publication.

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Technology Advisor

Sridhar T. R.

Sridhar is a business leader and technology strategist dedicated to creating scalable, impactful solutions for organizational growth. For CFRIA’s Deevara Chittara initiative, he is actively involved in strengthening operational frameworks, from inventory management to sales reconciliation, and guides the project’s digital strategy. 

Chittara Artists

Our artists and artisans hail from villages across the Sagara district of Karnataka and Bengaluru, most belonging to the Deevaru community. For them, Chittara is far more than an art practice. It is an inseparable part of daily life, woven into rituals and celebrations such as weddings, religious events, and cultural gatherings. Working closely with these artists allows us to bring their craft and stories to a wider audience, while honouring the roots from which it comes.

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Manmane

Pavitra Mohan

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Aiginbailu

Shruthi Belli

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Hecche Vishwanatha G.

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Digatekoppa Annappa

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Kusuma Annappa

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Radha Sullur

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Nanditha T.M

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Sunil Mishra

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Narasimha Murthy

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Nithin Kumar D. 

Artisans

Our artisans also craft eco-friendly handicraft products, using natural, sustainable materials sourced responsibly from their surroundings. Each piece is handmade with care, blending traditional techniques with a mindful approach towards the environment. Every purchase directly supports these artists and their communities, helping sustain a livelihood built around their craft.

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Usha Nagaraj

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Kusuma Annappa

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Digatekoppa Annappa

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Gademane Sudha

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Manmane

Pavitra Mohan

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