About Us
At O we are keen on verse, in other words, poetry. There is more to poetry than simply rhyme or metre or the many literary devices pupils are intimidated by. We, at O, aim to bridge the rather stark divide between the Art and Science worlds. It is in O's purview to design and engage in a wide range of innovative pursuits sparking creativity and imagination in children and adults across cultures and communities to bring about policy changes on specific matters, in order to achieve ONENESS in art and science disciplines.
The ‘O’ factor — Our muse letter O’s universality and versatility are highly alluring and like poetry O is also multidimensional, for it not only holds the sound O, the numeral O and the shape O within it but also its implications in each of the three forms are furthermore diverse and quite in correlation. The aural O, the mathematical O and the shape O converge in verse where Art and Science complement each other and fuse to become a single entity.
We work to promote creative sectors especially with a focus on poetry and visual arts, addressing areas where there are barriers to growth such as gaps in art-science disciplines, regions, communities and age groups with deficiency of exposure to verse and theatre, skills, access to finance, regulation and infrastructure.
Now, however, arguably, of course, the absence or the neglect or rather the mistreatment, mishandling, misuse and abuse of art subjects amid us, NOT EXCLUDING academia, as well as in our day-to-day life calls for a redressal, which is why it is imperative that we engage with poetry and visual arts.
O holds periodic and aperiodic poetry and play reading events online as well as onsite for all age groups. O also conducts orientation programmes in schools, colleges, universities, to familiarise those unacquainted with the virtues, joys and delights of poetry, aside of course from the numerous empirical findings demonstrating the benefits of poetry on the brain for children in early cognitive development, in improving mental health, emotional intelligence in both children and adults, in boosting emotional response in children and adults.
O and O's projects are funded by contributions, donations and goodwill support by partners and well-wishers.
Children, young adults, elderly
Education and Research
Diversity
Regions and Clusters
Sustainability
Digital Culture
Focus
Activities
Poetry Workshop
Mindfulness Workshop
Theatre Production
Play Reading Sessions
Poetry Reading Sessions
Literature, Theatre and Music Festivals
Dance and Music Concerts
Art Conferences
Corporate Education
OUR TEAM
Mike, Liaison Officer
Mike’s interest in the literary arts is newly found, but one that is sustained. He is impatient for the world to recognise O’s cause and catch up.
AJ Singh, Tech Head
A consultant in 'ethical website design', he is a digital media specialist, growth hacker and a passionate supporter of creative arts.
Errol, Creative Content Producer
A full time actor and an acting coach. His deep passion for theatre and poetry made him leave behind the maritime career that he had once embraced.
Vishnu, Head Graphic Designer
His art communicates sharply, precisely and yet diversely. His visual thinking is guided by his keen sense of observation.
Megha, Financial Officer
A Chartered Accountant with a fostered interest in education she oversees finances (and more) for us.
OUR TRUSTEES
Founder and Chairperson
Lakshmi Krishnakumar
Lakshmi is a Shakespeare scholar, writer and theatre director. Ahead of her third master’s degree in Shakespeare Studies, she holds two master’s degrees, also from the UK, one in multimedia journalism and one in filmmaking. She worked as a journalist beginning with the BBC in 2005 and ending with Outlook in 2014. She's also currently pursuing her PhD, exploring Shakespeare’s universality and interlingual and international Shakespeare.
Secretary General
Pooran Chandra Pandey
Pooran advises governments, private sector and UN agencies in Asia, Africa and Europe on sustainability, climate diplomacy and development cooperation. Founding CEO of a Berlin-based international think tank and contributor to international encyclopaedia by Springer Nature. Pandey serves as a member of the board of trustees, World Food Programme Trust for India, among others. He is also a British Chevening Scholar.
Trustee
Shivraj Parshad
Shivraj leads the 'Clients for life' and People Development function as Senior Vice President at Avian WE. A Senior Certified Professional Coach with over 25 years and 1000+ hours of experience as an Executive Coach, Corporate Trainer, LGBTQ+ community Coming Out Coach, Media Educator, Podcaster and Presenter/EMCEE. He has worked across a spectrum of corporate, institutional and individual clients. As a former journalist and TV anchor, Shivraj is also an avid podcaster.
Trustee
Venkitesh Ramakrishnan
Venkitesh is a writer and journalist. He is the Editor-in-Chief of The AIDEM. He was an Associate Editor with Frontline (The Hindu group of publications) for twenty years. Venkitesh has abiding interest in Indian classical music, dance, theatre, poetry, cinema and all things art. He promotes and supports artists, art organisations and activities. He consistently advocates with policy makers and governments to evolve policies benefiting artists and art communities.
Trustee
Alan Kaleekal
Alan is a designer and sustainability is key to his designs, “not merely a tag” as he puts it. His team won British Fashions Council’s Best Design Country Award in 2017 among the 29 participating countries. Alan is committed to showcasing the work of local designers as well as integrate the knowledge of the indigenous people of India into his work.
Treasurer
Ragini Rainu
Ragini is a Bhakti singer. She sings Sufi Gurbani and Bhajan. She is a Ganda-bandh Shagird of Pandit Bhajan Sopori. Ragini has performed before national and international audiences. She takes special interest in composing and writing. For Ragini, immersing herself in the poetry of ancient Sufi saints is redemptive and she wishes to make its profundity as popular as it can get.