Toto Funds the Arts
Toto Funds the Arts (TFA) is a non-profit trust set up in September 2004 in memory of Angirus ‘Toto’ Vellani. It nurtures and recognises young artists in India through awards, workshops, conversations, readings, screenings, concerts and other events.
TFA was set up by Toto’s parents and a few of his close friends who felt that the best way to remember him would be to support what he loved most—music, literature and cinema—in particular the desires and aspirations of young people beginning a life in the arts. TFA embodies the passion and energy with which Toto participated in the arts, inspiring others of his generation to discover their own voices.
Welcome to Toto Funds the Arts!
Mission
To nurture, encourage and reward emerging talent and new voices in the arts by giving annual awards, and offering learning opportunities and platforms to present and discuss their work.
Board of Trustees
Abhishek Majumdar
Abhishek Majumdar is a multilingual playwright, theatre director and scenographer. He is the ex-artistic director and co-founder of Indian Ensemble and Bhasha Centre of Performing Arts. He is an Associate Professor at NYU Abu Dhabi. As a theatre professional he is currently developing work in Asia, the UK and the USA.
Anishaa Taraporvala
Anishaa Taraporvala is the Founder of Monsoon Malabar, a Bangalore-based boutique PR and communications agency which works on media relations, strategic planning and marketing with art institutions, individual artists and design studios. She runs the Monsoon Malabar Journal that features artist interviews and exhibition reviews.
Badri Vishal
Badri Vishal is a lawyer, specialising in mining laws, electricity laws and commercial laws. He is a professional tennis player and a former drummer, playing in a band named Auschwitz.
Bharavi
Bharavi is an independent technical designer and production manager who focuses on collaborative and exploratory work. In these capacities he has worked with Indian Ensemble, Tadpole Repertory, Astad Deboo and Jyoti Dogra, among other arts groups and artists.
C K Meena
Chairperson
C K Meena has been in print media since 1981 and was a founding member of The Asian College of Journalism in Bangalore. Three of her novels have been published by Dronequill.
Sarita Vellani
Managing Trustee
Sarita Vellani is a freelance editor (books, journals) and has been on the staff of Cambridge University Press, Bombay Magazine and Business India, Seminar and Sage Publications, apart from some non-profit organisations.
Shiva Pathak
Shiva Pathak is a producer, arts manager and actor. She is the co-founder of Sandbox Collective, an arts collective based in Bangalore.
C Suresh Kumar
C Suresh Kumar has a postgraduate degree in Commerce. He is currently working as Senior Manager: Management Services, India Foundation for the Arts. He serves as a resource for smaller non-profits.
Vivek Shanbhag
Vivek Shanbhag writes in Kannada and has published five short story collections, three novels and two plays. He has edited two literary anthologies and was the founding editor of the literary journal Desha Kaala. His critically acclaimed novel Ghachar Ghochar has been translated into 18 languages worldwide. He teaches creative writing at the Ashoka University.