Chetana Gosavi (Founder, Director)
A post-graduate in Law and Archaeology, Chetana is a passionate linguist, cultural enthusiast, and a dedicated scholar currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute, Pune. With deep expertise in both Sanskrit and Japanese, she brings a rare and insightful perspective to the Foundation’s work in language, culture, and education.
Her translation of “Madogiwano Tottochan” from Japanese to Marathi, published by the National Book Trust of India and reprinted over 23 times in the last 25 years, is a testament to her commitment to cross-cultural storytelling and child-centered narratives. She has recently co-translated “Natsu no Niwa” (The Friends) into Marathi under the title “Dost”, further extending her work in making international literature accessible to regional readers.
With a strong background in business management and a heartfelt commitment to working with children, Chetana plays a pivotal role in shaping the Sambhasha Foundation’s vision. Her passion for exploring diverse cultures and her interdisciplinary expertise fuel the Foundation’s mission of fostering dialogue, inclusion, and learning across communities.
Purnima Parikh (Director)
An electronics engineer by training and a people person at heart, Purnima brings a unique blend of technical acumen and human connection to her role as Director of the Sambhasha Foundation. Her keen interest in meeting people and exploring diverse cultures has deeply informed the foundation’s inclusive and cross-cultural approach.
With a strong grasp of financial planning and a natural flair for interpersonal communication, she plays a key role in strategic decision-making, resource management, and community engagement. Her leadership style is collaborative and empathetic, grounded in the belief that meaningful dialogue is at the heart of social transformation.
At Sambhasha, Purnima is committed to building bridges across communities, nurturing intercultural understanding, and creating spaces where voices from all walks of life are heard and valued.
Nisha Poyarekar (Director)
Nisha holds a Master’s degree in Computer Applications and began her career as an SAP consultant, working with global clients across diverse industries. This role deepened her technical expertise and gave her the opportunity to travel extensively, gaining cross-cultural experience.
Driven by a desire to create more meaningful, community-centered impact, she transitioned from the corporate sector to establish her own makerspace “reserved-bit”—a collaborative environment fostering hands-on learning and interdisciplinary exchange.
In parallel, she pursued a second Master’s degree in Archaeology and completed a Diploma in Heritage Management, further expanding her perspective at the intersection of technology, culture, and education.
Experience in digital strategy and communication led her to support Chetana in launching a community-focused center, where Nisha led website development and strategic planning. One thing led to another and this involvement grew into a core role in setting up and operationalizing Sambhasha Foundation. Known for being a good listener, with a people-first approach to collaboration, her ability to synthesize complex ideas allow her to navigate both creative and technical domains with ease.
Shantinee Sutar
Project Lead
As someone passionate about art, culture, and history, Shantinee is deeply interested in exploring past and present societies through artefacts, monuments, and all forms of heritage. She endeavours to share this understanding of dynamic cultures and heritage with future generations. She loves exploring culture, especially with children. This is where her passion for museums and art begins. She has a master’s degree in AIHC and Archaeology from Deccan College, Pune and shares experience in the field of Museums, Archives and Culture for Children.
Samyukta Parchure
Research Assistant
A voracious reader and film buff, Samyukta is a Human Geography and Cultural Studies researcher. She loves reading and documenting the stories of people from different walks of life, connecting their cultural references with various aspects of life. She is keenly interested in Indian Classical Music, languages, and modern history, particularly focusing on India. Curious at heart, she always seeks out TIL moments in her daily routine, constantly widening her horizons. She has completed her Masters in South Asian Studies from the University of Heidelberg, Germany.
Siddhi More
Jr. Research Assistant
Siddhi’s work centres on ethnoarchaeology, cultural heritage documentation, and the integration of digital art with archaeology. She has conducted ethnoarchaeological surveys and presented research papers highlighting the significance of digital art in archaeological studies. With a keen eye for visual storytelling, she merges history and technology, using digital art and video production.
Neha Kulkarni
Jr. Research Assistant
Neha’s work encompasses archaeological field research, heritage documentation, and academic writing. Her research interests extend from temple architecture to social history. Neha is committed to making historical and archaeological narratives relevant in the contemporary era and bridging the gap between academic scholarship and public engagement. She has a master’s degree in AIHC and Archaeology from Deccan College, Pune and has qualified UGC-NET.