Usha Uthup, the iconic Indian singer, stands as a beacon of cultural fusion and musical excellence. Usha’s journey in the world of music spans over five decades, leaving an indelible mark on the Indian music scene. Her distinctive voice, vibrant stage presence, and paralleled ability to blend various musical genres, including pop, jazz, and Indian folk, has captivated audiences worldwide. Usha Uthup’s breakthrough came with the hit song Darling in 1971, catapulting her to fame and establishing her as a trendsetter in the Indian music industry.
Beyond her musical achievements, Usha Uthup is a philanthropist at heart. She actively supports various charitable causes, particularly those related to education, healthcare, and women’s empowerment. Her dedication to social causes is reflected in her involvement with organizations like the Rotary Club and the Cancer Patients Aid Association, where she uses her influence to raise awareness and funds for those in need.
Usha’s career is a testament to her versatility and resilience. From performing at prestigious venues around the world to collaborating with renowned artists, she has continuously pushed boundaries and transcended cultural barriers. Her accolades include numerous awards and honors, including the Padma Shri in 2011, and the Padma Bhushan in 2024, recognizing her contributions to Indian music and culture.
Despite her global acclaim, Usha Uthup remains deeply rooted in her Indian heritage. Her passion for music, coupled with her unwavering commitment to social causes, continues to inspire generations of music lovers and philanthropists alike.
Charles Ma, also known as Rudra Rai, is a renowned Bharatanatyam dancer celebrated for his graceful performances that blend tradition with emotion. At 35, he is challenging racial stereotypes in dance while showcasing his artistry on his Instagram page.
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Aparajita Jain is a leading figure in the Indian contemporary art world, known for her efforts in promoting Indian art on the global stage. In 2005, she founded Seven Art Limited, a gallery dedicated to showcasing innovative Indian artists, such as Asim Waqif and Aakash Nihalani. The gallery played a pivotal role in placing Indian contemporary art in the international arena, notably hosting the first Indian contemporary art exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Shanghai and facilitating Indian participation in the Lisbon Biennale.
Jain is currently the co-founder of Nature Morte, one of Delhi’s most avant-garde art spaces, which has become renowned for showcasing leading contemporary Indian artists like Subodh Gupta, Jitish Kallat, and Anita Dube. Her influence extends beyond the commercial art scene into philanthropy. She established the Saat Saath Arts Foundation (SSAF), a nonprofit aimed at fostering international art exchanges. One of SSAF’s landmark projects is the creation of India’s first permanent international art space at Nahargarh Fort in collaboration with the Rajasthan government.
Aparajita Jain’s contributions have earned her recognition as one of the 50 icons of Indian art by *Platform* magazine. She is also actively involved in global business leadership circles as a board member of the Delhi Chapter of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization) and is a founding member of the Harvard South Asia Institute Arts Program. Her vision continues to shape the future of contemporary art in India and abroad.
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Dr. Susan Lim is a pioneering surgeon, scientist, and creative visionary with a multifaceted career that spans medical breakthroughs and the arts. Notably, she performed Singapore’s first successful cadaveric liver transplant, marking a milestone in the country’s medical history. Her expertise in robotic surgery and transplantation, honed through studies under world-renowned surgeons like Sir Roy Calne and Professor Thomas Starzl, has earned her international recognition in the medical field. She has also delivered impactful talks on organ replacement, including a TED Talk exploring the future of cell transplantation.
Beyond her medical achievements, Dr. Lim has expanded into the arts, co-creating and writing the musical *ALAN* and two orchestral pieces: *Lim Fantasy of Companionship for Piano and Orchestra* and *Lim Cosmic Rhapsody*, both recorded with the prestigious London Symphony Orchestra. These works explore the intersections of artificial intelligence, robotics, and human emotion, reflecting her forward-thinking approach to science and art. Dr. Lim continues to push boundaries in both fields, earning recognition at global forums like the World Economic Forum and various international film and music festivals.
Her work epitomizes a unique blend of scientific rigor and artistic creativity, reflecting her commitment to innovation and the pursuit of knowledge across multiple disciplines.
Tinky Mathew is the co-founder of Pepper House, a 400-year-old spice warehouse in Fort Cochin that she transformed into a vibrant café, design shop, and open gallery spaces. Although a Biomedical Engineer by education, Tinky’s true passion lies in design and fashion.
In 2012, along with her partner, she restored the historic warehouse to host the first edition of the Kochi Muziris Biennale and seized the opportunity to curate a design-focused retail shop for the event. This serendipitous experience led her to open the Pepper House Design Shop in January 2015. With this venture, Tinky realized her vision of discovering, curating, and showcasing the incredible talent of independent creators and designers from across the country, presenting them to a discerning audience.
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