Meet our team

We are a piece of the giant saree tree puzzle, and without each other, we might miss out on something special. We work together and leverage each other as needed. Presently, our organization is primarily volunteer-driven and embracing global participation to continue our eight years of diligent archiving and community service. 

Ashvini Persaud, Co-Founder and President

Inspired by her adorable grandmother and mom's vintage saree collection and historical ties to Banaras, Ashvini Persaud (pronounced Prasad) became a co-founder of International Museum of The Saree, alongside her twin sister, her creative half in 2018. The pop up museum was founded not only to archive sarees and her siblings globally but to pay tribute to the iconic fashionable apparel originating in India, dominating South Asia and worldwide continents and the people who admire them. The pop up museum is a multigenerational platform honoring those who participate in the projects and their loved ones who wore and continue to admire sarees and cultural South Asian apparels. 

She has been educated in CUNY ( Queens College & Fashion Institute of Business and Technology), Columbia University, European Citizens University and St. Theresa ( Mother Teresa) University, where she has two honorary doctorates in Leadership and Management in the world of AI and also Business Administration and Marketing. She has 20 years in the banking, business, healthcare sectors and a lifetime's talent in mixed media arts since a child protege of art, theatre and dance. Her design work has been recognized in the Miss World Pageant in London. She brings her blend of business and creative experiences to the board in the execution of a globally focused non-profit organization with historical fashion garments. 

Ashvini is a fierce advocate of the saree and sibling apparels from India, South Asia and world continents offering a unique perspective on the literary and artistic significance of saree. The co-founders' developments in new historically significant fabrics of the saree have been featured at Gracie Mansion and many other significant global venues for community display. The IM of The Saree project has also produced vintage and new Indian sarees capturing iconic themes such as "Chandra To The Moon", South American "Midnight Kaieteur" & "Flora Of Kaieteur",  Caribbean  sarees, cancer awareness sarees and accompanying sibling apparels marking a historuc global development in the archiving of these garments in specific geographic areas with historical cultural migration.  

Achievements: Honorary Citation from State of New York, Recognition from New York City for contribution to multi-cultural fashion art and designs, Dada Saheb Phalke All Round Champion Award offered to a founder, Dubai 2024, & Powerful Women Midday Award, Mumbai, India, 2025.

Jayastri Chintalapudi

Venkata Jayashri “Jayastri” Chintalapudi, B.A., B.L., is the MBE‑certified CEO and President of Panzer Solutions LLC, a Norwalk, Connecticut–based IT consulting and staffing firm founded in 2010 that serves sectors such as IT, healthcare, banking, and recruitment . Prior to co‑founding the company, she practiced family law in India and later served as a Legal Specialist at Time Warner while raising two daughters in the U.S. Devoted to community and diaspora empowerment, she has been honored with the Norwalk Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Achievement Award (2022), presented the Dadasaheb Phalke Icon Award (2024) for promoting Indian culture in the U.S with her involvement in International Museum Of The Saree. She actively supports initiatives like youth tennis coaching, cultural showcases, saree marathon events, and diaspora studies alongside her continued engagement with the pop up and also GOPIO organization. She hails from Andrapradesh, South India and brings extensive knowledge on South Indian women's sari fashions, weaves and textiles. 

Kumar Kalantri

Philanthropist, Entrepreneur, and Innovator Kumar G. Kalantri is a multifaceted leader whose work spans innovative business ventures, global peace initiatives, and large-scale social impact events. As the founder of fintech company Web, he combines entrepreneurial vision with a deep commitment to cultural preservation and community upliftment. An American citizen of Indian origin, he actively promotes Indian arts and culture across the United States through high-profile events and collaborations.

A philanthropist at heart, Kumar leverages his business success to champion global peace, climate action, environmental protection, education, and healthcare initiatives. His advocacy has taken him across continents, meeting with world spiritual leaders such as H.H. Dalai Lama, H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, and H.H. Radhanath Swami to spread the message of harmony. He also serves as Executive Producer for Projecting Change USA, a platform dedicated to driving awareness and action on climate change.

Kumi has a long career in global fashion and events planning and enjoys creating exciting experiences for the saree and her sibling apparels globally with IM Of The Saree creative minds.

Patricia Langford 

Patricia Jordan Langford is a distinguished leader in both the banking sector and cultural advocacy, with over three decades of impactful service. She served as Vice President at Citibank for 20 years (1988–2008), bringing strategic insight and leadership to the financial industry. Her dedication to community empowerment is reflected in her long-standing presidency of the Guyana Tri-State Alliance, Inc. since 1992, operating out of the Guyana Consulate in New York.

In her commitment to education and youth development, she has been the Executive Director and Co-Chair of The Minetta Foundation since 2005, supporting disadvantaged students through access to higher education and personal growth. She also serves as Global Advisor to The James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation and has been a Board Member of the Guyana Cultural Association of New York for over 12 years, promoting heritage through events like Guyana FolkFest, Diwali, Holi and IM of The Saree pop-up projects. 

Currently, she continues to serve as a Brooklyn Ambassador under the office of the Brooklyn Borough President, reflecting her deep ties to civic leadership and cultural diplomacy. She has been wearing the saree since a teenager and added an orange saree with intricate border to her collection for Indian Independence. 

Bollywood Team: 

Ustad Kamal Sabri, Global Ambassador of International Museum of The Saree &  The Sarangi Maestro

Ustad Kamal Sabri, one of the world’s most celebrated sarangi players, composer, singer and professor of music who has dedicated his life to preserving and modernizing classical Indian Music and Culture, son of the legendary Ustad Sabri Khan blends deep classical training with an innovative spirit, carrying Indian musical traditions onto global stages. His performances, known for their emotional depth and technical mastery, have resonated in prestigious venues across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas. Kamal Sabri has collaborated with renowned international artists and world music ensembles, bridging Indian classical with jazz, flamenco, and contemporary fusion, introducing the sarangi to diverse audiences.

Beyond music, Ustad Kamal Sabri has also made his mark on the worlds of fashion and cultural diplomacy. His live sarangi performances have accompanied high-profile fashion shows and artistic events, infusing traditional soundscapes into modern, stylish settings and attracting many beautiful sarees. By aligning classical music with couture and his personal design style, he has helped present Indian heritage in a fashionable, globally appealing light which is no surprise why he he is dubbed Face of India in Times of India. Honored with prestigious awards such as World Best Musician 2023 and recognized as a cultural ambassador, Ustad Kamal Sabri continues to inspire new generations, ensuring the sarangi remains both timeless and contemporary in art, culture, and fashion. He is key anchor in Baate Dhiloki show in India where IM of The Saree aired it's virtual Indian campain, and lead musician and composer collaborating with IM of The Saree creative which has produced two music albums and books hung released tuis fall. He is highly knowledgeable on the many saree drapes and quality of luxurious sarees across India and actively promotes the pop up museum's mission across global cultural events. He pays tribute to his mother, Mushrari Khan and wife, Tarannum Sabri, role models for the saree with his contribution at International Museum of The Saree. 

Actor and producer, Rahul Roy

Rahul Roy is a celebrated Bollywood actor and global icon who rose to fame in the early 1990s, most notably with his debut in the cult classic Aashiqui (1990). His portrayal of the sensitive and romantic lead in the film made him an instant heartthrob and established him as a fresh face in Indian cinema. Known for his striking screen presence and charm, Rahul quickly became a symbol of the era’s youthful romance, leaving a lasting impression on audiences. His performance in Aashiqui continues to be remembered as one of the most iconic debuts in Hindi film history, earning him recognition that transcends generations.

Beyond his acting career, Rahul Roy has engaged in diverse ventures that reflect his creative and entrepreneurial spirit. He has participated in television, including reality shows, where he showcased his resilience and versatility, further broadening his appeal. In addition to his entertainment work, Rahul has remained connected to cultural and philanthropic circles, supporting projects that promote art, heritage, and social causes. His career and continued influence highlight a legacy not confined to the silver screen but also tied to his ability to reinvent himself and contribute meaningfully to the broader cultural landscape.

Beyond cinema, Rahul Roy continued to expand his creative horizons, engaging with television and cultural platforms that showcased his versatility. He earned accolades such as the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut (1991) for Aashiqui, and later the Bigg Boss Season 1 Winner’s Trophy (2007), underscoring his lasting popularity and adaptability. Roy has also aligned with artistic and philanthropic projects, such as,  IM of The Saree, that celebrate heritage and community, highlighting his role not only as an actor but as a cultural and Bollywod ambassador.  His story is one of resilience, reinvention, and enduring influence—a reminder of how one performance can spark a legacy that inspires for decades. Lastly, he is a champion of the saree growing up in a nation where the sari is a legend among legends. 

Pt. Anup Jalota

Pandit Anup Jalota, widely celebrated as the Bhajan Samrat (Emperor of Devotional Music), is one of India’s most iconic singers and musicians. Born into a family of classical musicians, he trained under his father, Purshottam Das Jalota, and went on to become a pioneer in popularizing devotional music across the globe. With his melodious voice and soulful renditions, Anup Jalota transformed bhajans and ghazals into a mainstream art form, making them accessible to audiences beyond traditional boundaries.

Over the course of his career, he has performed thousands of concerts worldwide and recorded numerous albums, blending classical depth with simplicity that resonates with listeners of all ages. Honored with the Padma Shri (2012) for his contribution to Art and Culture, Jalota stands as a cultural ambassador of Indian devotional music and culture. His legacy continues to inspire, uplift, and connect people through the universal language of music and arts. 

He has participated in IM of The Saree's serial documentary, sharing interviews offering insights on sarees and accompanying men's Indian cultural apparels. He has proudly supported International Museum of The Saree campaigns on Batte Diloki show and offered humorous saree anecdotes tied to his late wife's sari fashion selections. 

Dilip Sen

Dilip Sen celebrated as part of the iconic music duo Dilip Sen–Sameer Sen, left a lasting imprint on Bollywood in the 1990s with his rich, melodic compositions. His music, often woven with classical undercurrents and contemporary rhythms, shaped the soundtracks of films like Aaina, Yeh Dillagi, and Ziddi, capturing the romance, drama, and vibrancy of Indian cinema during that era. His melodies not only resonated with audiences but also reflected the cultural elegance and timeless artistry found in India’s traditions.

Dilip Sen became an honorary member to International Museum of the Saree in 2024 as his music often illustrated sarees and women illuminating the saree in the Bollywood arena. Sen’s compositions express similar depth through sound. Both are mediums of Indian creativity that cross generations — the saree in its visual beauty, and his music in its emotional resonance.

Who else is involved? 

There are many additional influential silent contributors and supporters of this preservation and archiving initiative who's support has been shown in previous exhibits and exhibits scheduled to come. We thank all our participants, contributors, comunity volunteers and sponsors. 

Volunteer Advisors: Hrudam Gallery ( Aravind Mallupudi), Urmilla Etwaru, Braj Aggarwal CPA, GOPIO, Baps Swami Narayan Temple, Somnauth Ghimere, judiciary advisors and many organization leaders in USA and abroad. 

Legal: B. Ahn, Goldberg Segalla

Kindly write to imofthesaree@gmail.com or call/text/WhatsApp 917.993-2557 ( USA) to communicate or contact anyone of our team or volunteers. We don't want to miss out on answering questions so leave your name, email and telephone information in case our reply goes to spam. Thank you. 

International Museum of The Saree|I.M. of The Saree is trademark protected, 2020. Project founded in 2017.