People
About | Project
FACILITATOR
Akanksha Chhajer
Akanksha Chhajer is an educator, architect, designer, and printmaker with a passion for bookmaking and book arts. Her multidisciplinary practice bridges spatial design, book arts, and stories relating to people, nature, and their interconnections. She teaches at the Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology in Bengaluru, where she facilitates studios, workshops, and contextual projects across disciplines and years.
Akanksha is inspired by the little wonders of the natural world and invites her students into this space of exploration. Her work is rooted in thinking with her hands—a tactile approach nurtured since childhood—that informs her exploration of materials and methods as a facilitator, architect, and artist. The energy in her work lies in process and in-depth exploration of ideas, building connections across diverse creative spaces.
She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from RV College of Engineering, Bengaluru, and a Master’s in Multi-Disciplinary Printmaking from the University of the West of England, Bristol. She received the Rebecca Smith Award (2017) for excellence in printmaking and completed a diploma in Children’s Picture Books and Mental Health from Narrative Practices India.
Her professional experience includes architectural practice and printmaking in studios and workshops across different regions. Since 2017, she has practiced independently as an architect, working on residential and commercial projects.
With insatiable curiosity and a heart-driven approach, Akanksha continuously explores ways to foster emotional intelligence in her teaching and creative practice. She cultivates physical and conceptual spaces that invite reflection, connection, and a deeper appreciation of the intertwined narratives of people, place, and environment.
For her, there is always much to love, appreciate, and learn.
akanksha.chhajer@manipal.edu
akankshachhajer@gmail.com
COLLABRATORS
Nandini Velho | Canopy Collective
Nandini Velho is a field biologist, conservationist, and science communicator whose work bridges ecological research with community engagement and storytelling. She holds a Ph.D. from James Cook University, Australia, and an M.Sc. in Wildlife Biology and Conservation from the National Centre for Biological Sciences, India. Her research has focused on the human dimensions of wildlife management and rainforest dynamics in tropical forests. Over the years, she has collaborated with local forest managers, policymakers, and communities, engaging in conservation education and outreach activities.
Nandini is the founder and project lead of the Canopy Collective and was an ORA India Fellow, during which she developed this platform that fosters the intersection of art, science, and action. The Collective serves as a collaborative space where scientists, artists, educators, and local communities come together to share narratives that inspire connection, hope, and active participation in environmental conservation. Through projects like the Atlas of Living Hope, Pachyderm Partnerships and many others, the Canopy Collective aims to create an archive of stories that highlight the possibilities of renewal and resilience.
Canopy Collective
https://www.canopycollective.in
Svabhu Kohli
Svabhu Kohli (they/them) is a visual storyteller working at the intersection of art, ecology, and community. Their multidisciplinary practice spans illustration, murals, sculpture, teaching, film, and design - drawing from Indigenous knowledge systems, political ecologies, and oral histories to explore the deep interconnections between nature, culture and identity.
Their illustrations have appeared in books published by Chronicle Books, Candlewick Press, HarperCollins, and Levine Querido. Kohli’s book ‘The Desert Queen’ received the Stonewall Honor Award in 2024. Their research-led artworks have been commissioned, acquired and exhibited in musuems, galleries and institutions such as Jameel Arts Centre, Science Gallery Bangalore, Godrej Design Labs, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya - CSMVS Museum, Hudson Seed Library, Sussex Contemporary International Printmakers, Meta Open Arts, and Serendipity Arts Festival, Google Doodle to name a few.
Kohli also illustrated and is part of the Atlas of Living Hope with Canopy Collective—a storytelling initiative on community-led conservation, presented at Oxford University’s Conservation Optimism summit and later adapted into a teaching module at Srishti School of Art and Design. They were also part of Dwelling 2025 with Canopy Collective, a residency with Indigenous communities in Arunachal Pradesh and diverse practitioners from artists, scientists and researchers focused on building ecologically rooted practices through art/science led projects. They have also been illustrating and designing nature education books and learning materials with ‘A Voice for Nature’ and ‘Rewild Yourself’ for the last 5 years have won an Anthem Award for the same along with being nominated for a Webby Award. They were also awarded as a Rewild Yourself champion in 2024.
A core member of the art and communications team at Amche Mollem. Across their work, they create visual narratives that invite reflection, connection, and collective action for environmental justice and citizen action with the campaign.
https://www.svabhukohli.com/about
ARTIST-DESIGNERS
Aabha Bokare
Aabha is a visual artist with a deep love for hands-on creative exploration. She loves engaging with diverse materials and mediums, constantly seeking new ways to express ideas through tactile, visual artworks. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Design with a focus on Creative Education from the Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology. In addition to her academic background, she is a trained ceramic artist and potter. Working with clay has not only deepened her appreciation for the physicality of making but has also taught her the value of patience and process in art. Whether shaping forms on the wheel or experimenting with surface textures, she finds great joy in translating her thoughts and ideas into tangible, three-dimensional expressions.
Visual storytelling is also something she really enjoys. She likes finding innovative ways to communicate information, narratives, and emotions through imagery, design, and form. She is currently exploring the world of art and design education, experimenting with different teaching methodologies that make creativity more engaging and meaningful to learners of all ages.
She is always seeking opportunities to learn new art forms, collaborate with fellow creatives, and evolve her approach to both making and teaching. She looks forward to discovering where her artistic journey will take her next.
Email:
aabha.bokare10@gmail.com
Instagram:
@summerofclay
Aarushi Jhamb
Aarushi is a Visual Designer-Artist based in Gurgaon. With a bachelor’s degree in Visual Communication and Strategic Branding from Srishti, she brings a thoughtful, narrative-driven approach to both digital and physical platforms.Her creative process is rooted in storytelling, often weaving emotion, context, and visual language into cohesive and compelling experiences.
Email:
aarushi.jmb@gmail.com
Website/ Instagram:
https://aarushijhamb.framer.website/
@hue.and.i__
Aditi Puttige
Aditi is a multidisciplinary artist-designer whose practice is deeply rooted in research-based narratives spanning themes from gender to conservation. With a bachelor’s in design in Information Arts and Information Design Practices, from Srishti Manipal Institute, her work is reflective in nature, and is nested in illustration, poetry, creative writing, and publication. Her artistic journey includes contributions to anthologies, editorial illustrations, and scriptwriting for theatre, alongside working with clay and experience in pottery. You’ll often find her travelling with her little sketchbook and drawing where she goes.
Email:
aditiputtige18@gmail.com
Website/ Instagram:
https://aditiputtige.myportfolio.com/
@aditeyy
Amulya Giri
Amulya Giri is a graduate of the Industrial Arts and Design Practices program at Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design & Technology. Her academic journey focused on exploring the intersections of product, textile, and furniture design, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, material exploration, and craft-based practices. Her work combines hands-on making with thoughtful research, often engaging with slow, traditional processes to create contemporary design outcomes.
Email:
amulyagiri134@gmail.com
Instagram:
@amulya.giri
Anika Jain
Creative and adaptable Industrial Design graduate with a keen eye for aesthetics and user-centric design. Experienced in concept development, design research, and design thinking methodologies. Proficient in sketching, 3D modelling, and prototyping. My approach is characterized by a dynamic blend of outgoing demeanour, ambitious mindset, and adeptness in swiftly grasping new concepts. I’m someone who finds inspiration everywhere—from people and places to fleeting details in everyday life. Whether I’m prototyping, concept sketching, or exploring materials, I’m constantly drawn to the tactile and the poetic. Outside the studio, I’m a passionate traveller, a lover of literature and nature, and someone who thrives on engaging with people from diverse backgrounds. Over the years, I’ve grown into a designer who embraces experimentation, values constructive critique, and seeks to design not just objects, but meaningful experiences.
Email:
anikaj002@gmail.com
Atul Josemine
Atul is an illustrator and graphic designer whose world revolves around pixels, colors, and sketches—but there's more to him than just design. He’s all about striking a balance between creativity and chill vibes, often with a dash of Frank Ocean playing in the background.
Email:
atuljosemine2003@gmail.com
Instagram:
@atul_josemnie
Dhriti J M
Dhrithi is an artist and illustrator who moves fluidly between traditional mediums and digital tools, always exploring new ways to express ideas. Illustration is where her concepts often find their fullest form.
Her curiosity drives her to experiment with a variety of materials, including fabric and embroidery, as a means of image-making. At the heart of her practice is a desire to tell compelling visual stories through her art.
Email:
jmdhrithi@gmail.com
Diya Thomas
Diya Palathinkal is a practicing artist whose work delves into the essence of reality, offering a unique lens through which to view the world. She works across a range of mediums—including leather, paints, Indian ink, charcoal, clay, stitching, embroidery, patterns, and weaving—constantly expanding and refining her techniques.
Her practice often centers on the theme of destruction, using it as a way to unravel and reconstruct the fabric of existence. Through this process, she explores questions of identity, deconstructing it and creating art from the discoveries that emerge.
A graduate of the BFA Contemporary Art Practice program at Srishti Manipal Institute, Diya is eager to continue her journey in art and design. She is driven by a belief in art as a powerful force for change—and is committed to contributing to that soft power through her work.
Email:
reachdiyathomas@gmail.com
Pranjal Gupta
Pran is a graduate of Srishti Manipal Institute with a focus in Visual Communication and Strategic Branding. Their practice sits at the intersection of publication design, branding, and type design, with a strong personal passion for illustration and visual journaling. They often draw inspiration from the environments around them, especially spaces rich in cultural and architectural significance. Traveling to new places fuels their creative curiosity and informs their design language.
Their queer identity deeply influences their perspective and approach, adding layers of introspection, sensitivity, and boldness to the work they create. Whether they’re crafting a brand story or designing a typeface, they aim to reflect narratives that are personal, inclusive, and visually compelling.
Email:
pranwaterr@gmail.com
Instagram:
@prawntype
Ipshita Raj
Ipshita Raj is a multidisciplinary designer, illustrator and writer with a special interest in the sciences, climate and environmental issues and stories, with a B.Des in Visual Communication from Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology. She believes design and art is a medium for change, and that there can never be anything as much as ‘too much’. You can find her on her Instagram, or visit her portfolio to see more of her work.
Email:
ipshitaraj02@gmail.com
Website/ Instagram:
https://readymag.website/u2340933327/5184154/
@thenightowl1107
Isha Joshi
Isha Joshi is a designer who explores the intersections of visual design, UI/UX, and playful, interaction-driven storytelling. She graduated in Human Centred Design from Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology.
Her practice moves fluidly across disciplines—whether she's working on detailed UI flows, crafting visual narratives, or experimenting with new tools and mediums. Isha finds inspiration in trying out new approaches and is driven by a constant desire to learn, adapt, and expand the boundaries of her creative work. For her, design is rooted in curiosity, empathy, and the power of ideas that connect and inspire. She actively seeks opportunities to grow, collaborate, and bring meaningful stories to life through design.
Email:
isha072003@gmail.com
Instagram:
@ishaa.joshi_
Lavanya Sharma
Lavanya Sharma is a curious and driven Visual Designer with a specialization in Visual Communication and Strategic Branding from Srishti Manipal, Bengaluru. Her work sits at the crossroads of design, storytelling, and strategy, shaped by a strong interest in how brands communicate meaning and connect with people.
With a love for clarity, composition, and creative experimentation, Lavanya is especially drawn to projects that merge brand thinking with purposeful design. Her practice spans a range of disciplines including branding, packaging, marketing strategy, motion design, and creative research. She has also explored more tactile forms of making such as printmaking and cyanotype, which continue to inform her visual sensibility.
Over the past few years, she has worked across academic, internship, and self-initiated projects—each one reflecting a balance of strategic intent and thoughtful execution. Lavanya is always seeking out new ways to bridge narrative and design, and is excited to contribute to work that’s bold, culturally aware, and meaningfully crafted.
Email:
sharmalavanya003@gmail.com
Instagram:
@designbylavanya
Mahi Agarwal
Mahi Agarwal is a practicing artist whose work is rooted in analogue explorations, spanning mixed media, graphic, and textile-based projects.
Her process embraces experimentation, allowing materials to shape the narrative as much as her own intent. She approaches each project as a dialogue between concept and medium. This video offers a glimpse into that evolving practice. Mahi looks forward to connecting with fellow artists, designers, and creative minds.
Email:
agarwalmahi0103@gmail.com
Instagram:
@_mahi_agarwal_
@art.by.mahi
Mehar Kakkar
Mehar Kakkar is a passionate Visual Designer with a specialization in Visual Communication and Strategic Branding from Srishti Manipal, Bengaluru. Driven by curiosity and a love for creative challenges, she draws inspiration from everyday observations and personal experiences to craft compelling, thoughtful design. She is particularly drawn to brands that lead with storytelling and purpose. Her practice spans various facets of design, including illustration, brand strategy, identity design, packaging, UI, and creative curation. Over the past few years, she has worked on a range of academic, self-initiated, and internship projects that reflect both versatility and intent. Mehar is always eager to explore new intersections of design, branding, and strategy, and is excited to continue growing in this space.
Email:
mehar.kakkar1@gmail.com
Instagram:
@artbymk__
Omisha Pashilkar
Omisha is a recent graduate from Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Science and Technology. Her practice centers around storytelling through illustration, often characterized by bright colours and playful, expressive visuals. Whether drawing from personal experiences or interpreting the stories of others, she is drawn to narratives that feel alive, honest, and emotionally resonant.
Beyond her creative practice, Omisha is passionate about volunteering—particularly with children—where art becomes a shared language of joy and imagination. She finds inspiration in travel, art galleries, and spontaneous experiences, embracing the magic of unplanned moments. Nature, too, offers her a sense of peace and completeness, grounding her work with a quiet, observational sensitivity.
Email:
omishapashilkar@gmail.com
Website/ Instagram:
https://www.behance.net/omipash
@graphicdodo
Parveen I
Parveen Ismail is a graphic designer and illustrator based between Bangalore and Chennai, with a background in Information Arts and Design Practices from the Srishti Manipal Institute. At the heart of her practice is a passion for drawing and creating engaging, thoughtful visuals that make information more accessible and informative.
She works across illustration, graphic design, and publication, and enjoys translating complex ideas into clear, compelling visuals that connect with diverse audiences.
Email:
parveen.ismail1303@gmail.com
Instagram:
@parveen_ismail13
Saniya Kulkarni
Saniya Kulkarni is a visual storyteller passionate about illustrating narratives that explore the intricate systems and networks shaping communities and cultures. Her work focuses on creating visuals that break down complex ideas, resonate deeply, and communicate effectively with intended audiences. Through thoughtful storytelling and design, she aims to make the invisible visible and the complex accessible.
Email:
saniyavkul@gmail.com
Website:
https://saniyavkul.myportfolio.com/
Shaina Bhatia
Shaina Bhatia is a visual communication designer based in Mumbai who loves getting her hands dirty with branding, storytelling and narrative driven design. She has studied Visual communication and Strategic Branding from Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology. Words and Visuals have always been her medium of communication and she works with her strengths to translate abstract ideas into stories and outcomes that resonate.
Email:
shainahbhatia@gmail.com
Instagram:
@_shainart_
Soutreyi Mandal
The sun spreading its rays—that’s what my name means.
Soutreyi Mandal is a graduate in Visual Communication and Strategic Branding from Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology (B.Des, 2021–2025). She enjoys exploring ideas through research and storytelling, often allowing one to lead into the other. Her work brings together hand-drawn and digital illustrations, shaped by a deep appreciation for detail, language, and layered meaning. Soutreyi is drawn to stories that feel personal and alive—where visuals are not just beautiful, but thoughtful and full of intent.
Email:
soutreyi2004@gmail.com
Instagram:
@patchyartz
Srishti Pabra
Synonymous with her name, she has always seen herself as a creator. She loves tinkering with new ideas, stories, and visuals to craft something for the world to see. An aesthete at heart, she is drawn to detail, mood, and meaning in everything she creates.
Hailing from Mumbai, she is a city girl at heart, though she wouldn’t hesitate to run to a tropical island at the drop of a hat. A favourite combination for her is a tall glass of coffee and vinyl records. She enjoys meeting and connecting with new people, listening to their stories, and allowing those experiences to shape her perspective.
For her, design is more than just a skill—it’s a way of exploring the world and her place within it. Each project is an opportunity to learn, to play, and to grow—not only as a designer, but as a person guided by curiosity, emotion, and imagination.
Email:
srishtipabra@gmail.com
Website:
brewedbysrish.com
Tanishka Khattar
Tanishka is a visual communication designer from Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design, and Technology, with a love for all things that carry a story—be it brands, books, or people. She is drawn to design as a space for problem-solving and intentional curiosity. Her work spans across branding strategy and identity, packaging, and publication—essentially anything visual with a purpose. Tanishka also has a deep appreciation for handwork, from crocheting to lettering. She finds inspiration in histories, cultures, and the everyday lives of people, and in the ways these elements shape communities and societies.
Email:
tanishka.khattar@gmail.com
Instagram:
@sini.by.cosi
Tejas Kalghatgi
Tejas Shrikrishna Kalghatgi is a creative practitioner from Goa with a focus on brand strategy. He studied at Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology, where he honed his skills in visual thinking, storytelling, and strategic design. His approach blends creativity with critical insight, aiming to build meaningful brand narratives that resonate with people and culture. He strives to craft experiences that are thoughtful, meaningful, and impactful.
Email:
tejaskalghatgi@gmail.com
Instagram:
@tejaskalghatgi
Varuni Mahajan
Varuni is a multidisciplinary designer inspired by vibrant colours and rich textures. While specialising in visual communication—working with typography, layouts, branding, and packaging—she is equally passionate about textiles, particularly printmaking, dyeing methods, and weaving.
Her practice is fueled by everyday conversations and observations, which keep her curious, engaged, and driven to learn, innovate, and create authentic, meaningful work.
Email:
varunimhjan@gmail.com
Website:
https://readymag.website/u3549274068/varunimj/
© 2025 Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology and the individual artist-designers of the works. All rights reserved.