Rachana Prasad
Founder & Managing Trustee
Founder and Director of Art Courtyard Productions, certified special educator, theatre practitioner, and film director with over 15 years of experience in inclusive education, therapies, and vocational training. A Rex Karamveer Chakra Awardee and recipient of the XIAOMI Women Achiever 2022 and SABERA Social Leader of the Year 2023 honors, also serving as a POSH Committee Consultant at the Help the Blind Foundation. The journey began with just eight children and has grown to supporting over 500 children and adults today, leading a 60-member team that includes 30 employees with special needs. Has directed more than 35 theatre productions and the award-winning film “I Am Enough,” and regularly serves as a speaker and trainer for teachers, parents, and national disability forums. Actively works across rural Karnataka in the areas of education, health, and livelihood, and is a visiting faculty for communication, storytelling, and life skills.
Narayana Swamy B.S.
Independent Finance & Valuation Consultant
Independent consultant specializing in finance, corporate credit, and valuations, holding a Master’s Degree in Valuation (Real Estate). A Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers, and holder of a Diploma in Business Finance from ICFAI, with over 34 years of experience in the banking industry. Brings deep expertise in corporate credit assessment, financial structuring, and corporate valuations of both tangible and intangible assets, and has worked with leading organizations including ABB, Strides, CISCO, Indena India, Manipal Group, RMZ, Prestige, HDFC, Bennet & Coleman, Raheja, Ozone, Chartered Group, and several others.
Shantheri Mallaya
Editor & Technology Journalist
Journalist with 17 years of experience in technology media Has led editorial operations at top Indian tech publications Experienced event content anchor, panel moderator, speaker & mentor Currently Editor – News at ETCIO (Times Internet) Active theatre artist in English & Kannada; involved in acting, writing & backstage work Featured in short films, including “The Emergency” Honorary Trustee at Chiranthana and volunteer member of WICCI Coaching Council Published author and co-author of the novella “The Game of Pawns” Host of film-based podcast “My Legend”, interviewing critics & cinephiles Postgraduate in Journalism, B.Com graduate, with certification in Guidance & Counselling (IIPR)
Dr. Sridhar MK
Dr. Sridhar MK is a senior academician and public intellectual with a Doctorate in Philosophy. He has served in eminent roles including Member Secretary of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission and the Karnataka State Innovation Council. A respected trainer and social activist, he has received the Karnataka Rajyothsava Award, Kempegowda Award, and the General President Gold Medal from the Indian Science Congress Association. He currently serves as Co-Founder and Chancellor of Chanakya University.
Anand Rao
Anand Rao is an acclaimed theatre professional, author, and communication trainer, equally fluent in English and Kannada. His award-nominated play A Muslim in the Midst received international recognition in New York. With over 50 theatre productions to his credit, Anand co-founded the Resonate Voice Acting Workshop, training thousands of participants. He holds an MBA from Westminster College, USA, a Master’s in English Literature, and advanced qualifications in journalism, marketing, and communication.
Srikar Y V
Srikar Y V is a technology and public policy leader with over two decades of experience in building and scaling high-growth businesses. He currently serves as Director – Government Relations at redBus (Ibibo Group). An active mentor and advisor to innovation ecosystems including T-Hub, IIIT Hyderabad, and global accelerator programs, he also co-founded Rotary Bangalore Harmony and is deeply engaged in healthcare and femtech social initiatives.
Varuna Subramanyam
Varuna, a graduate in Electronics & Communications Engineering from the National Institute of Engineering, University of Mysore, worked in the Software Engineering field for 25 years in varying roles of management and retired from IBM. He is passionate about giving back to society and making an impact in the field of education, He is also currently working at the Department of Informatics at the Trans-Disciplinary University in Bangalore. He is also an executive member of the NGO Ossat.
Vijay Ladha
Vijay Ladha is an engineering professional with 25 years of experience in the software industry, having held senior leadership roles before retiring from IBM. A graduate in Electronics and Communications Engineering from the University of Mysore, he is committed to advancing education and social development. He currently works with the Department of Informatics at the Trans-Disciplinary University, Bengaluru, and serves as an executive member of the NGO OSSAT.
Arpitha Dharmappa
Clinical Psychologist
Preethi
Clinical Psychologist
Swetha
Physiotherapist
Related Links
Developmental disability | Applied Behavior Analysis | Therapeutic School | Special Needs School with Small Class Size | Special Needs School with Focus on Life Skills | Special Needs School | Special Education School | Speech Therapy | Occupational Therapy | Down Syndrome | School for Kids with ADHD | Developmental Disability | School for people with Disabilities | Montessori Special Needs School | ABA Therapy | Learning Disability | Rachana Prasad | Support Our Cause | Art Courtyard | Therapy Centre | Mental Health Programs in Bangalore | Children Rehabilitation Centre | NGOs Offering Vocational Skills | NGOs in the Education Space | Rehabilitation Centre | Tailoring Training in Bangalore | Employment for Persons with Disabilities | Inclusive School | Rural Intervention | NGOs Doing Rural Work | NGOs Empowering Women and Children | Digital Literacy in NGOs | Rural Development by NGOs | Coding and Digital Literacy for Adults with Special Needs | Employment for Special Needs Individuals | Skill-Based Training for Special Needs Individuals
We all loved the cookies and truffles. "These cookies are truly special. Knowing they are baked by neurodiverse teens and young adults makes every bite meaningful. This is skill, effort, and pride coming together.”
Soumya
Customer
Chiranthana’s inclusion and diversity workshops opened my eyes to new perspectives on working with children with special needs. The sessions were engaging, informative, and deeply impactful.
Arun Iyer
Parents
