Akṣarā
  • Welcome
  • Programs
    • Events
    • Workshops
    • Classes
    • Program Pillars
  • Audiences
    • Kids & Families
    • Adults
    • Older Adults
  • Past Work
  • About
    • Mission & Values
    • Founder & Team
    • Awards And Press
    • Clients & Partners
  • Contact
  • More
    • Welcome
    • Programs
      • Events
      • Workshops
      • Classes
      • Program Pillars
    • Audiences
      • Kids & Families
      • Adults
      • Older Adults
    • Past Work
    • About
      • Mission & Values
      • Founder & Team
      • Awards And Press
      • Clients & Partners
    • Contact
Akṣarā
  • Welcome
  • Programs
    • Events
    • Workshops
    • Classes
    • Program Pillars
  • Audiences
    • Kids & Families
    • Adults
    • Older Adults
  • Past Work
  • About
    • Mission & Values
    • Founder & Team
    • Awards And Press
    • Clients & Partners
  • Contact

Founders Statement

Jayanthi Moorthy

 

I’m a creative practitioner working at the intersection of art, design, and education, with a deep commitment to cultural storytelling. My journey as an immigrant from India to the U.S. in 2004 has greatly shaped my perspective. Immersed in New York City’s vibrant creative landscape, I’ve come to see the need for more nuanced, engaging representations of Indian culture—beyond clichés and surface symbols.


In 2021, I founded Akṣarā to share the richness of Indian cultural arts through educational programming, exhibitions, and community-based experiences. Rooted in traditional practices and open to contemporary expression, Akṣarā explores Indian culture through visual, performing, literary, and folk arts, creating opportunities for people of all backgrounds to learn, reflect, and connect.


I bring over 20 years of experience across New York’s creative industries—from digital media and instructional design to curating and exhibiting art. As an artist, designer and, educator, I believe in the power of culture to bridge communities, spark dialogue, and inspire lifelong learning.


Akṣarā is my response to that belief—a space where Indian culture is not only preserved, but lived, reimagined, and shared.

Our Team

Art Educators & Learning Designers

Art Educators & Learning Designers

Art Educators & Learning Designers

Professional art educators and learning designers join our team from time-to-time. Our platform offers a valuable opportunity to engage with community arts initiatives and gain insights into designing for cultural education. 

Facilitators

Art Educators & Learning Designers

Art Educators & Learning Designers

Our facilitators bring diverse backgrounds to the table. What truly sets them apart as facilitators is their exceptional ability to connect with others and their profound passion for teaching and learning about Indian culture. 

Tweens & Teens

Art Educators & Learning Designers

Tweens & Teens

We encourage young tweens and teens to work with us, teaching them a particular skill and having them help facilitate workshops. This provides a great platform for them to learn about community-building initiatives. 

Team Members In Advisory Role

Devika Gopal Aggae

Devika Gopal Aggae

Devika Gopal Aggae

Devika is an entrepreneurial development professional with two decades of nonprofit and public-private partnership experience in the United States, United Kingdom, and India. She is a Speaker, and Board member with expertise in innovative partnerships and communication strategies for Climate, Health, and Equity. 

Ivy Cohen

Devika Gopal Aggae

Devika Gopal Aggae

With over 20 years of experience as a communications expert, Ivy has been instrumental in advising companies and executives on reputation-building strategies. Notably, her dedication to the community earned her a Service Award in 2012 for her involvement with YouthBridge-New York's Community. Ivy's expertise extends beyond consultancy; sh

With over 20 years of experience as a communications expert, Ivy has been instrumental in advising companies and executives on reputation-building strategies. Notably, her dedication to the community earned her a Service Award in 2012 for her involvement with YouthBridge-New York's Community. Ivy's expertise extends beyond consultancy; she is a published author in prominent platforms like Entrepreneur.com, MediaPost, and Advertising Week. 

Michele Burke

Devika Gopal Aggae

Michele Burke

Michelle, a systems administrator by day, and a passionate artist by heart! Based in NYC, she is not only a connoisseur of Indian culture but also embraces the diversity of all cultures around her. In her free time, Michelle generously volunteers to advise cultural entrepreneurs on impactful cultural programming. 

Jaisree Natrajan

Jaisree is an entrepreneur making waves in the field of gamified solutions and healthcare. She is the co-founder of Ganalila, a California-based game design company. She brings in expertise from the field of digital media design and entretainment.

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