Bamboo Log Team

Sivaraj is the Managing Director of Uravu Eco Links Ltd. He coordinates all the activities of Uravu Eco Links – the Bamboo Grove Project, Construction and Bamboo Trading. He played a vital role in the formation of the Uravu-Kabani Homestay project of Thrikkaipetta, which has been operating successfully since 2008. A member of the Steering Committee since the beginning of the Responsible Tourism Initiative in Kerala, he maintains close ties with the Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS) and the Department of Tourism, Kerala. He has 14 years’ experience as manager of Uravu and interacts with governmental, industrial and civil society stakeholders.

Sivaraj Thekkayil – Managing Director Uravu Eco Links Ltd.

Sivaraj is the Managing Director of Uravu Eco Links Ltd. He coordinates all the activities of Uravu Eco Links – the Bamboo Grove Project, Construction and Bamboo Trading. He played a vital role in the formation of the Uravu-Kabani Homestay project of Thrikkaipetta, which has been operating successfully since 2008. A member of the Steering Committee since the beginning of the Responsible Tourism Initiative in Kerala, he maintains close ties with the Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies (KITTS) and the Department of Tourism, Kerala. He has 14 years’ experience as manager of Uravu and interacts with governmental, industrial and civil society stakeholders.

Kirtee Shah – Architect

Kirtee Shah is the Founder Director of the Ahmedabad Study Action Group (ASAG), and the former president of the Habitat International Coalition for a decade in the mid-1990s. Concerned that the ‘architecture’ he was learning way back in the ‘60s was not sufficiently oriented to the contemporary human settlements challenges, especially concerning the needs of the marginalised groups, he set out to work with the homeless poor in the villages first, and subsequently in the urban slums of Gujarat. He is also the Founder President of INHAF; Founder Chairman of Home Losers’ Service Association of Ahmedabad (HOLSAA); and is currently advising the Gol on its housing project for the war victims in Sri Lanka.

Juerg Grunder – Architect

Jürg is an architect and a Professor of Architecture. He is responsible for our concepts in architecture and design. He has vast experience in sustainable architecture, besides photography and design, and has managed companies in Switzerland and elsewhere globally. Since 1991 he has been a Professor at the Bern University of Applied Sciences, Department of Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering. He is the head of the IN:CH Transcultural Sustainability Platform India, which is a competence centre in India for research, advanced training courses and the IN:CH Studio, a semester course for Indian and Swiss students in architecture and civil engineering. Given his exposure to Indian projects and much else besides, Jürg can offer invaluable help/advice to Indian partners and experts in the area of architecture. He believes that an intercultural and interdisciplinary teamwork creates a third culture, which is more successful than individual work. With IN:CH Architects and Planners in Bangalore he works on projects and execution in sustainable architecture, design and urban settlements.

P.J. George – Engineer

George has long-standing experience as a civil engineer in construction and is responsible for Uravu Eco Links’ construction management. Over the past 16 years he has executed various structures for tourism projects such as Vythiri Village, Treasure Trove Homestays in Meenangadi and Mepadi Homestays. He has worked alongside reputed architects and engineers in different parts of the country, such as Sudhakar Redy from IIT Delhi. He also has a vast experience with RCC constructions in Wayanad. George has designed and built a 100-metre bamboo bridge for the Kerala State Archaeology Department. He has worked with Uravu for eight years and brings with him innovative ideas in bamboo and other eco-friendly structures. His expertise in the technical aspects of construction and his experience with local and government construction, as well as in various other eco-friendly projects, make him a valued member of the Bamboo Grove Project team.

Krishnasekhar – Bamboo Log Project Coordinator

Krishnasekhar is the coordinator of the Bamboo Log Project since June 2016. Before that, he was working in a NGO in Trivandrum. He has completed his degree in engineering from University of Kerala.

Corinne Karlaganis – Project Manager

Corinne is the Bamboo Grove Project Manager and is responsible for concept formulation, marketing and project overview. She has been involved in studies and research projects on tourism initiatives in Kerala, alongside her work as Communications Officer for a research institute of the University of Bern, Switzerland. She was part of a research team on studies on Responsible Tourism in Kerala and India and is therefore well versed in the various standards and initiatives on sustainable tourism.

Ambica Ganesh – Architect

Ambica is working at IN:CH Architects + Planners as a designer and consultant. Previously, she had the chance to make an internship as an architect in Switzerland. She participated in residential architecture and interiors projects. She believes that architecture influences everyone and design is in details. She was actively involved in the design process of the Bamboo Log Project.

Ashokan C.M. – Photograph

Ashokan is a photographer of LEAF Studio, his own firm, located in Calicut. He is documenting all the projects happening in Uravu Eco Links, especially the Bamboo Log Project. He likes to photograph projects which have a sustainable environmental objective and treat political and environmental issues. Since 1985 he is working as a photographer and videographer.

Krishnan – Bamboo Cutting & Construction

Krishnan has been assisting Uravu and Uravu Eco Links for the past ten years. He and his team work in the area of bamboo cutting. Krishnan helps Uravu to collect bamboo for various purposes. He has tremendous experience and expertise in bamboo cutting and is an expert on the different bamboo species. Krishnan also works as a helper on the construction work being done by Uravu Eco Links.

Lenin C.P – Designer

Lenin is working as a designer and artist for Uravu since 2003. For the Bamboo Grove project he designs lamps and is involved in the lighting concept. In the past years Lenin has designed various craft products such as lampshades and desktop items for Uravu. He also works on sculptures in bamboo, stone and terracotta, besides murals and paintings. He has trained craftsmen in various workshops and training programmes throughout Kerala and India. Lenin also does freelance art works for resorts and residences.

M. Baburaj – Village Activtiy Coordinator

Baburaj is one of the Directors of Uravu Eco Links. He is responsible for village activity co-ordination. An Uravu trustee and currently its president, he has many years’ experience in the management and running of the organisation. Further, as a local of Thrikkaipetta, he is well connected to the community and was instrumental in initiating the bamboo village programme.

Muhammed Sadique Kallada – Site Supervisor

Sadique is Uravu Eco Links’ Site Supervisor. He is responsible for the supervision of the constructions at the project site. Sadique obtained his diploma from the Government Polytechnic College in Meenangadi in 2012. He worked in different construction companies in Calicut and Wayanad. Since eight years he is involved in his father’s construction and masonry business and got hands-on experience in the construction field since a young age.

Neo – Designer

Neo is a designer and artist. He achieved his bachelor degree in the National Institute of Fashion Technology in Bangalore. He is now working with Uravu since 2 years. He is passionate about painting, sketching and rendering. He is used to work with eco-friendly structures, space designing, lifestyle products and fashion accessories.

Nibha Namboodiri – Bamboo Log Project Coordinator

Nibha has a diploma in zoology and is passionate about fauna, particularly elephants. She started her career as a defender of fauna in the Zoo Outreach Organization of Coimbatore in 1995. She worked for the safety and well-being of elephants in Kerala since 1997. She then became the first woman training elephants and her commitment for these animals never stopped ever since then. She was the coordinator of the Bamboo Log Project from 2015 to 2016. During this time, she also helped Uravu to implement various projects.

Parvathi Annadorai – Architect

Parvathi is an architect at IN:CH Architects + Planners in Bangalore. She is specialized in architectural and interior design. She has a background of architecture in a college of engineering. She has also been working on residential and research projects in India. She was actively involved in the design process of the Bamboo Log Project.

Rajagopal – Journalist

Rajagopal is a journalist of his own firm. He graduated from a school of communications in New York. He had the chance to participate in many fellowships in journalism abroad and received many awards thanks to the documentaries he is making. He has a lot of experience in journalism thanks to his professional experiences as a news editor and his many personal published works. He is now documenting all the projects happening in Uravu Eco Links.

Rakesh P.K – Designer

Rakesh comes from a traditional craftsman family that worked with temple constructions for many generations. He learned carpentry works from his father and joined Uravu in 2002. Working with Uravu he has undergone various training workshops conducted by IIT Bombay, National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad, and courses by reputed designers. He is currently working as one of Uravu’s designers and craftsmen. Rakesh is also a trainer for craft workshops conducted by Uravu. He has given training in bamboo craft to more than 30 groups. He has developed various prototypes and products such as ‘The Book of Spices’, bamboo solar lamps and lampshades. Now he specialises on bamboo furniture and works closely with the Uravu Eco Links team. He is part of the furniture design team for the Bamboo Grove project.

Sadanandan E.C – Artist

Sadu was born and raised in southern India and is a current resident of Wayanad, Kerala. His interest in art began in childhood and he taught himself how to paint at a very young age. After receiving his B.S. in Statistics, Sadu dedicated his life to his true passion-creating artwork. Over the past 10 years, Sadu has explored new kinds of canvases – including bamboo. Drawing inspiration from nature and other artists, Sadu’s work incorporates natural beauty with a modern flair. He enjoys getting out of his comfort zone and using new techniques and using new mediums. In the future, Sadu hopes to work more with bamboo sculptures and installations in collaboration with other artists. Sadu was strongly involved in the bamboo works of the construction of the community centre.

Saikrishna – Consultant for the Bamboo Log Project

Er. Saikrishna is a civil engineer and an expert in research oriented studies on actual buildings and various construction methodologies. He belongs to a construction management consultancy called DESAVISHTARA (development for engineering sustainability and adoptability) out of Kozhikode on an intention to occupy the latest construction engineering and convert the same by using available engineering techniques for a progressive and prosperous environment for the next generation. He is well experienced in project implementation, estimation and structural design. He has been involved in various activities with Uravu and had a role of a consultant for the Bamboo Log Project.

Santosh – Bamboo Trading Coordinator

Santosh is in charge of bamboo trading in Uravu Eco Links. He is living Thrikkaipetta since his birth. First, he was working with Uravu for ten years, where he was taking care of the marketing of the bamboo products. Then, he joined Uravu Eco Links since 2012.

Shamal – Designer

Shamal is an accessory designer. He achieved his bachelor degree in the National Institute of Fashion Technology in Bangalore. He completed a 2-month internship at Uravu in 2014 and now he is working with Uravu since 2 years. He likes sketching and rendering, as well as painting, prototyping and graphic design.

Sheeja V.S – Accountant Assistant

Sheeja is responsible for the accounts and the administration of Uravu Eco Links. She has been working for Uravu and later Uravu Eco Links since 2000. In Uravu she was looking after the store. Sheeja completed her Bachelor of Commerce in Sulthan Battery. Before joining Uravu she worked as a teacher at Deccan Computers, a computer institute in Kalpetta, Wayanad.

Shoukath P.K – Construction Team

Shoukath started working for Uravu Eco Links in 2005 as part of the construction team. He plays a vital role in our projects and is one of the construction team leaders at the Bamboo Grove project site. Shoukath was involved in various construction projects of Uravu Eco Links. He has a lot of experience in construction with bamboo and was also part of the experimental constructions undertaken by Uravu Eco Links. These include the construction of a 100-meter long bamboo bridge in Trivandrum and dome structures. After completing his +2 education, he started his career as a construction worker. He first worked in Kerala and later gained experience working three years in Oman.

Soman – Bamboo Cutting & Construction

Soman has been assisting Uravu and Uravu Eco Links for the past ten years. He and his team work in the area of bamboo cutting. Soman has a vast experience and knows all about the characteristics of bamboo as well as its availability in various places in Kerala. Soman’s traditional knowledge of bamboo and the biodiversity of Wayanad is a tremendous support for the project.

Sudhish P.S – Construction Team

Sudhish completed his Certificate Course in Electrical Engineering in 2009 with AITECC in Sulthan Bathery. Since 2009 he is working with the Uravu Eco Links construction team. He has hands-on experience in construction with sustainable materials. Sudhish was also teaching electrical engineering. He is one of the main members of the Bamboo Grove’s construction team responsible for the technical aspects concerning the construction of the cottages. He is very experienced in bamboo constructions was also part of the experimental constructions undertaken by Uravu Eco Links such as the construction of a 100-meter long bamboo bridge in Trivandrum and dome structures. He is one of the construction team leaders in the Bamboo Grove project.

Sunil – Architect

Ar. Sunil is an architect and an expert in research oriented studies on actual buildings and construction methodologies. He belongs to a construction management consultancy DESAVISHTARA (development for engineering sustainability and adoptability) out of Kozhikode on an intention to occupy the latest construction engineering and convert the same by using available engineering techniques for a progressive and prosperous environment for the next generation. He is well experienced in community level development, coastal regulatory zone management and planning. He also held a position of treasurer in the well-known NGO MCITRA for 9 years. He has been involved with various activities with Uravu since 2010.

Vaishnavi Shankar – Architect

Vaishnavi is an architect and urban researcher engaging in urban development with keen interests in governance, community participation, climate change, city resilience, housing and sustainable living approaches. As a chief associate in research and design at INHAF, she worked in a collaborative way with Bamboo Workers and supported the participatory process of design and construction of bamboo structures.

Valsa Sebastian – Accountant Uravu

Valsa Sebastian is in charge of the accounting of Uravu. She is from Thrikkaipetta and she is working with Uravu for 11 years already. She learned accounting works in a community center and took a degree course. Before that, she was working in a tax consultation in Kalpetta.

Vineeth T – Construction Team

Vineeth is working with Uravu Eco Links and is constructing the community centre and Bindu’s house. He has been working in bamboo structures for one year. He is originally from Sultan Bathery where he has completed his higher secondary education. He is also helping for other bamboo structures and is still learning more about construction with bamboo.

Vini Vineeth – Construction Team

Vini is specialized in interior design and is working in bamboo construction for the past seven years. He has done many bamboo works, including bamboo bridges, cottages and panelling. He is a real expert in bamboo work, bamboo panelling and 3D modelling. He has also worked for the ecotourism project of the Kerala Forest Department. He is now involved in Uravu Eco Links’ Bamboo Log Project for the construction of Bindu’s house and Meenakshi’s house.