Dr.Sarada Natarajan
She is a Ph.D in English, from the Gnana Bharathi, Bangalore University. She was awarded the doctorate degree on the basis of her thesis, 'Concept of Self: a Study in Comparative Literature'. She has dedicated herself to the work of creating greater awareness of the life and teachings of Ramana. She is the editor of the monthly journal, 'The Ramana Way' and author of the books ‘Ramana Way in Search of Self’, 'Surging Joy' and ‘Wonderous Vigilance’. She has scripted and directed 108 dance ballets on the life and teachings of Ramana Maharshi. She has conceptualised and executed three television serials based on the dance ballets. Currently, she is the President of the organisation.
Sri Dileep Simha N
He is the Secretary of RMCL. Post Diploma in Computers and a savvy technology industry executive with a history of working on award winning products like Corel DRAW, has a vision for building companies from ground up and spearheading profitable growth. He has been successful in propelling small companies to the next level of expansion and growth by adopting the inspiring life and teachings of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi.
• Experience working Nationally, Internationally and in MNC’s.
• Board member in privately held companies along with working experience at Chief executive positions.
Dileep has varied experience that provides valuable perspectives to the Governing Body. He contributes to the Organization vision by leading various aspects of the mission through teamwork, focus, goals and strategies. He helps balance a drive for growth with sustenance. His deep devotion and spiritual intensity make him an active contributor in the Centre’s workshops. He is the Assistant Editor of the Centre’s monthly journal ‘The Ramana Way’.
Sri.Venkatesh N Deshpande
Venkatesh is an Electronics and Communication Engineer with an Executive MBA from IIM, Bangalore. He has worked for 3 decades in the IT and Engineering industries such as Wipro, ABB, Oracle, e4e. He has held Senior Management positions and managed Global operations of companies.
Venkatesh actively participated in social projects in Rotary and Round Table. He received Mantra Diksha from Swami Chidananda of Sivananda Ashram (Divine Life Society), Rishikesh. He attended a residential course at the Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy, Sivanada Ashram, Rishikesh. His parents have been blessed in marriage by Gurudev – Swami Sivananda.
He has been practising meditation for over 4 decades. He joined RMCL in 2010 and is currently the Treasurer of RMCL. Additionally, he is the President of Bhagawan Sri Ramana Maharshi Research Centre. He regularly gives lectures in the Seminars and Workshops conducted by the Centre on the Life and Teachings of Ramana Maharshi
Sri K.S.Bhanu
He is one of the Founder Members of RMCL and currently the Vice President. He is a silent and very unassuming follower of Ramana’s life and teachings. He and his wife, Smt.Lakshmi Bhanu, have been associated with the Ramana Movement in Bangalore ever since its inception. She has had the privilege of having darshan of Bhagavan, is a vainika and has participated in the early recordings and programs of Ramananjali both on the veena and as a singer.
Coming in the lineage of Dewan Seshadri Iyer who is known as the ‘Maker of Bangalore’, Sri Bhanu, through his association with the Centre, has surely been an active part of adding a significant landmark to Bangalore in the Ramana Maharshi Meditation Hall and Shrine near Mekhri Circle. Dewan Seshadri Iyer also served under Sri Krishnaraja Wodeyar who had the unique opportunity for a special darshan of Bhagavan Ramana who described him as a ripe fruit. In all probability, the Dewan must also have been blessed by the gracious glance of Ramana at that time.
Dr.Ambika Kameshwar
Founder-Director RASA - Ramana Sunritya Aalaya . Kalaimamani Dr.Ambika Kameshwar is a noted danseuse, choreographer, vocalist, composer, scholar and teacher of international acclaim who has travelled the world sharing her art with all. Shehas choreographed over 50 dance dramas and more than 10 complete Bharatanatyam Margams. She has composed music for over 50 dance dramas and several devotional albums as well. She is a loved and respected teacher of classical dance and music.
Dr.Ambika is held by all in high regard as the Pioneer of Applying Theatre Arts as a tool of Holistic Development for people with multiple challenges Her PhD was on Natyabhinaya and she did her Post Doctoral Fellowship on the Application of Natya as a holistic developmental tool, as a Senior Fellow of the Govt. of India. She has guided PhD Scholars as a registered Guide of scholars pursuing their Doctorate degree at University of Kancheepuram, Department of Indian Culture Studies.
“Dr. Ambika is fortunate and blessed to have imbibed and experienced the richness of spirituality, the joy and strength of which she expresses continually in all spheres of life”.
She served as a Member of the Advisory Board of PRASAR BHARTI & of SOUTH ZONE CULTURAL CENTRE till 2010, and as a Board Member of The KALAKSHETRA Foundation till December 2013.
She is the Founder Director of RASA - Ramana Sunritya Aalaya the organisation through which she fosters the holistic empowerment of one and all - with the inclusion of people with differing abilities - by the structured application of Theatre Arts and its tools
She has been honored with several Awards, including the highest award of the Rotary – namely the ‘For The Sake Of Honour ‘Award , the Bharata Kala Ratna , Stree Ratna , Acharya Choodamani and the prestigious Kalaimamani Award for the year 2004 by the Tamil Nadu State Government., to mention a few.
She has been soaked in the Ramana Movement from her infancy, is a core singer in Ramananjali from its inception and has composed the music for several dance ballets of the Centre. She has also choreographed practically all the dance dramas of RMCL playing the lead role in these productions as well.
Sri S.Chandrasekhar
Chandra is Managing Director of Bhoruka Power Corporation Limited, a leading Renewable Energy Developer in India. An Electrical Engineer and Alumnus of London Business School, he has been associated with the Power Sector in India for over 40 years and has worked in several reputed Companies both Public & Private Sector. He has hands on experience starting as a First Level Executive in Power Projects, to leading a green field company for development of Green Energy, as its CEO for the last twenty years.
Chandra was a short term consultant to World Bank and Member of Reuters Insight Community of Experts (Renewable Energy). Chandra is the Past Chairman of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) – Karnataka. He was past President of Bangalore Chamber of Industry & Commerce, Board Member of State Vocational & Skill Development Corporation and Former Board Member of the State Renewable Development Agency. He was the Chairman of National Accreditation Board for Education & Training (NABET).
More than two decades ago while travelling on a train somewhere in Madhya Pradesh, as the train rolled into the station he was literally captivated by a face on a book in a Higginbothams book depot. Even from the train window the power of the eyes was irresistible. He got down and purchased the book, ‘Conscious Immortality’ and was thrilled beyond thought to have it in his possession. His tryst with Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi began at that moment and has been the bedrock of his life ever since. His major contribution to the Ramana Maharshi Centre has been coordinating the constructions both of the Ramana Maharshi Heritage Auditorium and the Archives Block..
Ms. Geetha K Nair
Architect Geetha Nair is currently associated as Executive Vice President-Design & Engineering with SOBHA Ltd. Bengaluru - India’s premier real estate group with a diverse portfolio which includes residential, commercial and contractual projects with a strong emphasis on quality construction, environmental management, water harvesting and high safety standards.
Business houses across the country entrust SOBHA with the responsibility of creating iconic landmarks that add value to the way they conduct business.
With over 20 years work experience in the building and construction industry, Ms. Nair’s main strengths lie in providing design solutions for architecture and co-ordinating complete engineering requirements for residential, institutional and commercial projects. Her remarkable leadership qualities and motivating spirit have always been a guiding force to her team of 150 young professionals in meeting their relentless challenges.
Geetha has from a very young age been an ardent devotee of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. She has participated in many cultural and spiritual activities conducted by RMCL and she is fondly called ‘Ramana Bala’ at the Centre. She considers herself privileged for being able to visit Ramanashramam at Tiruvannamalai and also circumambulate the sacred hill Arunachala numerous times with fellow devotees, family and friends.
She believes whole heartedly that throughout her education as well as career, she has been guided by Bhagavan. Many times while faced with difficulties she has been guided through dreams by the most compassionate Master Ramana! She has also been fortunate to find a life partner who is equally interested and drawn to Bhagavan Ramana, His philosophy and teachings.
Sri Muralidhara Hegde
Smart Works was founded by Muralidhara Hegde who is also the CEO of the studio. He holds a BFA in Applied Art and a PG Diploma in PR, Marketing and Sales Management.
He worked in a creative capacity for agencies such as JWT and Lowe Worldwide (Lintas), Bangalore, for over a decade before starting Smart Works.
He was an esteemed visiting faculty member at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Advanced Studies and was a member, Board of Studies, Bangalore University. His association with RMCL commenced with his designing the invitation for Ramananjali’s 50th offering. He then designed the first children’s book on Ramana ‘Ramana Thatha’ and has continued to design most of the publications of the Centre for several years including the monthly journal ‘The Ramana Way’. He has also been active in the Theatre wing of the Centre based on his extensive experience in amateur theatre and Hindustani music.
Dr.Rajkumar Bharathi
Dr.Rajkumar Bharathi, great grandson of Mahakavi Subrahmanya Bharathi, learnt vocal music from his mother, Lalitha Bharathi, and later from Valliyur Gurumurthi. He further trained under Dr. M Balamuralikrishna and T V Gopalakrishnan. His talent blossomed under TVG and he stands today as one of the most popular artistes of his generation.
Rajkumar Bharathi has been awarded the Sangeeth Natak Akademy Award for the year 2015 under the 'Music for Dance' category.
A qualified engineer, music is his profession now. A strong attractive style of singing with clear diction and enunciation of ‘Sahithya Bhava’ are his hallmarks. Rajkumar has performed all over India, USA, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Gulf countries and the Orient as a part of concert tour and teaching assignments. He is the recipient of many prestigious awards and titles, the recent one being the "Acharya Choodamani" title from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha. He has been conferred honorary doctorate from Sathyabhama University, Chennai.
Rajkumar Bharathi is also a music composer. He has collaborated with many leading dancers as a sought after music composer for his innovative and challenging Varnams, Padams and Thillanas and creative pieces.
He has contributed to immensely to Ramananjali music by his inimitable rendering of songs, music direction and composing music for several of the Centre’s dance ballets. He has translated into Tamil Sri A.R.Natarajan’s ‘Timeless in Time’.
Sri N.Nandakumar,
Director, South Bangalore Centre
Nandakumarji has been associated with RMCL for more than a decade now as the Director of our South Bangalore Centre. RMCL has been holding special two day workshops on self-enquiry for the past more than 25 years in Bangalore, Madurai, Chennai and other cities in India. Recently a facility has been inaugurated at Tiruvannamalai where 4 residential workshops were held last year. Nandakumarji has been the senior faculty in all the workshops of RMCL for the past decade as he has dedicated his life to sharing the glory of self-enquiry having richly experienced for himself the immeasurable benefits of the path of Sri Ramana.
Here at RMCL, we have found his inputs and sharings on self-enquiry of great value in giving us deeper clarity and steadfastness in our practice of self-enquiry. His sadhana has led him through in- depth study and practise of other philosophies as a culmination of which he has been led to self- enquiry. He also has a wide knowledge about the relationship of present day experiments and findings in the field of science that have a bearing on our understanding of Self-knowledge and self- enquiry. An interaction with Nandakumarji would be of great value to any seeker of truth and in particular to those wishing to get a greater understanding of the essential teachings of Ramana Maharshi..
