For Mr. Babu Vinayagam, Thani Thamizh and Thamizhisai are at the forefront of his life. Even though his education was in English, he has always been involved in Tamil. In 8th grade, he was elected to be the leader of his school’s Tamil literature forum. He served as a member of the board of directors for Tamil Sangam of Greater Washington (TSGW). He has served as an assistant editor for TSGW’s magazine “Thendral Mullai”. He has also served as a teacher at Valluvan Tamil Academy in Virginia. He has founded and served as the president for World Tamil Music Development Center (WTMDC). In 2019, he received the “Tamil Music Ambassador” award at First Tamil Music Conference organized by World Tamil Research Institute and World Tamil Sangam for his long-standing passion and efforts towards the preservation and development of Thamizhisai. From 2025, he was nominated to be the chairman for the Thamizhisai committee at Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America (FETNA). He has also been a Thamizhisai researcher, music teacher, instrumentalist, and singer, having sung for All India Radio as a senior artist in Pannisai.
Dr Margaret Bastin : Belongs to the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph. A Musicologist- Specialization in Tamil Music. Vocalist, Vina player and Studied full Margam in South Indian Classical Dance {Bharatha Natyam}. Headed the Department of Music in Mother Teresa Women’s University, Kodaikanal for four years. Former Principal of Kalai Kaviri College of Fine Arts,Tiruchirappalli, for 12 years. Principal of St. Joseph’s Arts and Science College for Women, Singampunari and serving as an adjunct faculty of Martin Luther Christian University, Meghalaya since 2018 onwards.Qualified M.A M.Phil. & Ph.D. in Indian Music, University of Madras and obtained three Masters in Indian Music, Chennai, Guidance & Counseling, MTW University,Kodaikanal and Human Excellence, Bharathiyar University, Coimbatore. Published 10 Books,Commentator of Thembavani, an Epic by Veerama Munivar. And brought out an Abridged form of Karunamrutha Sagaram, a Magnum Opus of Abraham Panditar. Produced 8 Ph.D. Scholars. Served as Syndicate Member, Senate member, Convener of Viva-voce, Co-Ordinator for the UGC sponsored Refresher Course, Convener for Syllabus Committee, Chair for BOS, Member of Expert Committee for Central Board, presented 73 papers in National and International Seminars.
Dr. A. Shyla Helin is a Tamil literary scholar and Tamil musicologist. She worked as a physics teacher in schools in Coimbatore and Erode as a project assistant in Kerala University . She holds M.A.(Tamil) and Ph.D.(Tamil) degrees from Kerala University. She has done research on Tamilisai in Doctoral (Ph.D) and Postdoctoral degree (PDF).Her three books published so far are Tamilisai scholar Na.Mammadu (2015), Singer Pa. Pushpa Krishnan (2016), The Influence of Silapathikaram on Abraham Pandits Karunamirtha Sagarum (2021). She has presented 32 research papers at national and international level conferences. Mahakavi Erode Tamilanban Award (2015), Abraham Pandit Award (2019), Woman of Pride (2021), Tamil Queen Award (2021), Tamilisai Murthy Muthuthandavar Award (2023) and other awards and accolades. She composes and sings songs.
Anusha Padmanabhan is a versatile professional with extensive experience in travel services, educational administration and community development.
Since 2019, she has been the Director of Kalvipani and honorary Secretary of a government-aided school. She has also been involved in voluntary work with various NGOs.
With a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Madurai Kamaraj University and over two decades of organizational and managerial experience, she is an expert in operations management, customer relations and organizational leadership.
Fluent in English, Hindi and Tamil, she excels in community service.
