MUMBAI: The Godrej Foundation, an independent philanthropic trust, today announced the launch of Tomorrow Makers, a national platform designed to identify and support high-potential students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Tomorrow Makers is built on the belief that while talent is widely distributed across India, access to opportunity is not. The platform will identify high-potential students – from Classes 6-12 as well as graduates – and connect them to organisations, educators, mentors, competitions, and peer communities that can help them realise their potential. 

Through programmes run by eight partner organisations, Tomorrow Makers offers four different pathways – STEM, Invention and Making, Arts and Defence –for high-potential students from different age groups. 

Omar Momin, Chief Executive Officer, Godrej Foundation, said, “India is home to one of the world’s largest school-going populations, yet access to structured mentorship, advanced learning opportunities, and talent acceleration ecosystems remains uneven, particularly for students from underserved communities. Through Tomorrow Makers, we aim to help bridge this gap by building pathways that identify and nurture high-potential young people from across regions and socio-economic backgrounds. Through this platform, we hope to build a pipeline of future innovators, researchers, artists, entrepreneurs, soldiers, and public leaders whose success can create multiplier effects by transforming families, strengthening communities, and contributing to India’s long-term leadership and progress.”

For those in Class 10-12 with a strong aptitude in science and mathematics, and who aspire to careers in engineering, medicine or technology, Tomorrow Makers has partnered with organisations Dakshana and Avanti Fellows, who provide free coaching for JEE and NEET preparation.  For younger students in Class 6-7, organisations like Genwise and MakerGhat offer summer camps and workshops for advanced learning in robotics, computing, and higher mathematics, as well as opportunities to compete in national and global robotics competitions. 

In the arts pathway, Tomorrow Makers has partnered with Slam Out Loud, which provides mentorship, skill development, and performance opportunities for children with an aptitude for music, drama, writing, and other forms of creative expression. 

Commenting on the launch, Jigyasa Labroo, founder of Slam Out Loud, said, “When we think of who the cultural curators of India are, we don’t think of what most of our country looks and lives like. There is no dearth of artistic talent in India, but the arts – particularly performing arts – are not an easy field to establish oneself or build a career in. Through our partnership with Tomorrow Makers, we have created a programme for gifted young artists from less privileged backgrounds across India to get the right kind of training, mentorship, and exposure. We’re excited to build the next generation of creative leaders and have their voices represent our country’s stories!“

For graduates, Tomorrow Makers supports two pathways: professional theatre training through Drama School Mumbai, and defence exam preparation through Delta Squad Foundation and Yuvatejas. Need-based scholarships are available for eligible candidates.

Students across India can apply through the website or WhatsApp bot and undergo assessments to identify potential in sciences, invention, arts, and endurance. Successful candidates will be placed in specialised programmes run by Godrej Foundation’s non-profit partners. Tomorrow Makers is part of the Godrej Foundation’s broader mission to promote economic growth, inclusion, innovation, and talent development in India

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The exhibition features works by Krishen Khanna, Thota Vaikuntam, Himmat Shah, Mahendra Kadia, Madhvi Parekh, Phaneendra Nath Chaturvedi, Paul Kuntze, and Yashika Sugandh — each exploring unique artistic vocabularies through painting, sculpture, embroidery, jewellery, and functional art.

Diverse in size, medium, and theme, the display includes sculptures, paintings, and embroidery, along with jewellery by Thota Vaikuntam and functional artworks by Yashika Sugandh. Together, these works create a layered visual experience that bridges tradition and innovation, reflecting the gallery’s vision of fostering dialogue between artistic legacies and contemporary practices.

From Krishen Khanna’s poignant portrayals of humanity and Thota Vaikuntam’s vivid depictions of rural Telangana, to Himmat Shah’s timeless sculptural explorations and Mahendra Kadia’s poetic abstractions, the booth traverses decades of Indian modernism. Madhvi Parekh’s folk-inspired yet contemporary visual language, rooted in memory, mythology, and the everyday, adds lyrical depth to the exhibition. Complementing these stalwarts are powerful contemporary voices, Phaneendra Nath Chaturvedi’s dystopian figuration, Paul Kuntze’s reinterpretations of Baroque frescoes, and Yashika Sugandh’s functional, nature-inspired works that blur the line between art and design.

The exhibition will be on view at Art Mumbai 2025, from 13–16 November at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Booth C41, 11 AM to 7 PM.

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This staging of Hayavadana brings together national award-winning talent, combining the literary brilliance of Girish Karnad with the visionary direction of Padma Shri awardee Neelam Man Singh Chowdhry. The play was originally produced for Aadyam, an initiative of the Aditya Birla Group, and was brought to Pune by Bhoomija Trust.

About Hayavadana

Hayavadana, written by Jnanpith awardee Girish Karnad, is one of India’s most celebrated modern plays. It masterfully blends myth, folklore, and realism, inspired by Thomas Mann’s The Transposed Heads. The two-act play explores the philosophical dilemmas of identity, desire, and transformation through the tale of two friends in love with the same woman and a half-man, half-horse character named Hayavadana.

This production features a live orchestra, including Punjab’s wandering minstrels led by 86-year-old Harpal Singh, and music adapted from the original score by B.V. Karanth by Amod Bhatt. The show also boasts scenography by Deepan Sivaraman and lighting design by Gyandev Singh.

Having been nominated in 10 categories at the 2024 Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) and winning awards for Best Ensemble, Best Costume Design, and Best Supporting Actor (Female), this production is hailed as a benchmark of artistic excellence.

Director’s Vision

“Among the best of modern Indian plays, Girish Karnad’s _Hayavadana_ combines magic, myth, and realism to provide infinite theatrical prospects. My approach to this production was intuitive, leading with curiosity and experimentation to create something deeply profound and soul-stirring,” says Neelam Man Singh Chowdhry, director of the play.

Why WOPA Chose _Hayavadana_

“WOPA is committed to bringing the finest theatre productions from across India to Pune. With _Hayavadana,_ we uphold our promise to showcase works of artistic brilliance and national significance. This play reflects WOPA’s mission to inspire audiences, provoke dialogue, and foster a vibrant theatre culture,” shares *Parul Mehta, Trustee of WOPA.

Details of the Performance

Date: Saturday, December 21, 2024

Time: 7:00 PM

Venue: Creaticity Amphitheatre, Pune

Tickets: Available on BookMyShow and at the venue

With its second production, WOPA reaffirms its role as Pune’s premier cultural hub, creating an unmissable experience for lovers of live theatre. Be part of this transformative journey and witness the power of storytelling and performance at its best.

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BENGALURU: In an excellent show of dance skills, Mayra Sharma, a seventh-grader from Greenwood High, Bannerghatta campus, sparkled at the India International Groovefest (IIGF), a global dance event, marking a significant milestone in her dance journey and contributing to India’s global dance narrative. Mayra was part of the dance group ‘Astitva’ which clinched an impressive third position in the fiercely competitive freestyle category of India’s premier international dance extravaganza held recently in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The event witnessed participation from over 500 dancers from diverse countries.

After four successful seasons in Dubai (2018), Thailand (2019), IIGF Online (2021), and Pattaya (2022), IIGF is set to take the competition to different countries every year. Currently, IIGF is a strong family of 1,188 contestants across 16 countries and is constantly growing.

Speaking about the group’s achievement, Mayra Sharma said, “I am proud that we could achieve the third position in the dance event. We practiced hard and concentrated on our dance form carefully. We plan to participate in many more competitions in the future.“

Commenting on Mayra Sharma’s achievement, Ms. Niru Agarwal, Trustee, of Greenwood High International School said, “It is a matter of pride that our student has participated in a prestigious competition and secured a high position. We hope that other students too would emulate Mayra. We are glad to support her, and we will continue to back rich talent in our School. I wish Mayra all success in her future vision.“

Every year, the winners of IIGF are awarded cash prizes, trophies, and internationally recognized certificates that add a significant boost to their careers. With IIGF, students can showcase their talent and dance skills to a global audience, yielding critical acclaim, fame, and honor.

In conclusion, Mayra Sharma’s achievement in the IIGF dance competition is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and talent. It is also a proud moment for Greenwood High International School and India’s global dance narrative.

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