F.A.T.E. ARTIST

Co-founding member of F.A.T.E. Baradraj began his career in transcendental art in 1969 when he moved to the ISKCON 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.

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.

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.

PROJECT MANAGER

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.