F.A.T.E. ARTIST

Co-founding member of F.A.T.E. Having received formal art training at Sir George Williams University in Montreal, Quebec, Baradraj was tasked with developing transcendental art immediately upon joining ISKCON. In 1969, when he moved to the Boston temple and joined a small team of artists that began the ISKCON art department. Baradraj contributed paintings to the Krsna book, Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Back to Godhead, and numerous publications from the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. Personally requested by Srila Prabhupada to study putul in 1973, Baradraj joined another small team of artists to learn the traditional art, which he then taught others in the West. Upon Prabhupada’s request, Baradraj produced two F.A.T.E. museums in Los Angeles and Detroit. Since then, Baradraj has established a full career in the arts, including working for Disney. He has also and is currently consulting on the Temple of Vedic Planetarium in Mayapur.

F.A.T.E. ARTIST

Co-founding member of F.A.T.E. Adideva formally studied sculpture at the University of Texas before joining ISKCON with his professor, Murti das. When Prabhupada recognized their talent, background, and propensity for art, Prabhupada sent both Murti and Adideva to train in putul in Mayapur. Adideva returned to America along with Baradraj in 1974, where they collaborated in developing a putul studio, which turned into the greater F.A.T.E. project. Adideva trained the new artists and produced dioramas for both the Los Angeles and Detroit F.A.T.E. museums. Recently, in the spring of 2025, Adideva helped renovate and reopen ISKCON’s first preaching center at 26 Second Avenue, New York City.

F.A.T.E. ARTIST

Vrnda devi dasi received her Art & Psychology degree from the University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus, and studied under world-renowned artists including: Marilyn Levine, sculptor and ceramic artist Joe Fafard. one of Canada's leading professional sculptors and visual artists Jack Sures, Canadian potter, ceramic artist , painter and printmaker. Additionally, Vrnda is a CIYT (Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor), certified in the Egoscue Method as a PAS (Postural Alignment Specialist) and AET (Advanced Exercise Therapy Practitioner), a Hakomi Body-Centered Therapist, and a Relax and Renew Trainer.

PROJECT MANAGER

As Project Manager for the FATE Museum Restoration, Vamanadev brings more than two decades of museum and construction experience to the project. In the 1990s, he served for nine years as a Museum Preparator at the Harvard University Art Museums, where he worked alongside experienced professional art handlers to create world-class fine art exhibitions.

In 2001, Vamanadev relocated to Oxford, Mississippi, where he was hired to establish the Exhibition Department at the University of Mississippi Art Museum. He remained in that role for 14 years before retiring.

Earlier in his career, while working with the Gita Nagari Farm Project, Vamanadev oversaw the construction of a multi-purpose building that included a kitchen, temple, and residences. He coordinated closely with a New York architect and made multiple interstate trips to secure the necessary permits, plans, and approvals. He also previously operated his own construction company, managing multiple crews and projects.

His extensive background in museum exhibitions, construction management, coordination, and project execution directly informs his role in leading the FATE Museum Restoration.

PROJECT SUPPORT

Chitralekha studied Fashion Design at Woodbury University in Los Angeles, California, and Writing and Speech Communications at Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania.

With more than thirty-five years of experience in the arts, communications, and project management, she has managed fine art and craft galleries, developed websites, coordinated marketing initiatives, and worked as a survey CAD drafter. Her diverse background, organizational skills, and dedication to preserving cultural and spiritual heritage make her a valuable member of the F.A.T.E. Restoration Team, where she helps refine and advance the restoration of the Museum of Bhagavad.

F.A.T.E. ARTIST

Akilananda joined F.A.T.E. in the summer of 1976 and took on the role of the studio’s moldmaker for the Detroit museum. Since his service with F.A.T.E. Akilananda has built a number of altars for ISKCON temples and carts for Ratha Yatra.

F.A.T.E. ARTIST

International bronze sculptor Dharmada/Dorry Winham creates timeless works of art that reflect the spirit and soul of life itself. Classically trained at F.A.T.E. under the guidance of Baradraja and Adideva, and later on in Italy, Dharmada played a key role in the creation of the F.A.T.E. Museum in Los Angeles, contributing both sculpture and painting of the “dolls” in many of the exhibits. Her work also extended to the F.A.T.E. Museum in Detroit, where she continued to shape immersive artistic experiences through painting. While having a passion for carrying on Ancient traditions of Vedic teachings blended with New Age Renaissance style, Dharmada has continued her sculpting post-F.A.T.E. through creating individual bronze busts, sculptures, animal portraits, as well as murals in private estates.

ART CONSERVATOR & CREATIVE CONSULTANT

Krishna Murari is a second-generation devotee who was born into conservation through learning the trade from his father, Nara-Narayan das, who was at one time the art director of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. From an early age, from carving the Jaganatha deity for the Los Angeles temple to running his own conservation companies, Krishna Murari has 30+ years of experience in preservation and facilitation of public art in Los Angeles and India.

He has worked with LACMA, MOCA, and Getty teams installing exhibits and designing and overseeing large-scale art installations.

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

With a publishing background in art writing and a degree in Art History from UCLA, Ishvara Chandra initially became involved with F.A.T.E. to document the museum's history and artists’ biographies through an exhibition catalog for the Los Angeles Diorma-museum of Bhagavad-Gita. Since the writing of the catalog, Ishvara has become more deeply involved in the restoration and preservation of the F.A.T.E. museum and its mission.

MARKETING & PROMOTION

With a background in marketing, a degree in Business Marketing from California State University, Long Beach, and a career in entertainment media, Juanita Olaya initially became involved with F.A.T.E. to support its outreach and branding efforts through digital content and promotional strategy. Passionate about cultural preservation and spiritual storytelling, she now plays a key role in F.A.T.E.’s outreach through social media, content development, and community engagement.

CONSULTANT

Utilizing his experience in the fields of business, art, and design, Hari Bhakta has made it his mission to innovatively introduce people to the ancient arts as the manager and curator for the Diorama-museum of Bhagavad Gita. He also engages his skills as director of the Mantra House Project. With his years of experience curating the museum, Hari Bhakta has been invaluable for consulting the team, providing resources, and supporting the various phases and departments of the project.