Our Staff

Cedar India > Our Staff

Executive Head

Dr. Chinnaraj Joseph Jaikumar

Managing Trustee & CEO

Dr. Chinnaraj has been with CEDAR ever since its inception in 1994. A Development Sociologist by training, his theory of change is anchored in developing alternative pedagogical methods and in creating ‘agency’ in the children of the marginalized communities. Behind him is long years of experience as an academician, administrator and policy maker. He was formerly the Principal of the American College, Madurai. He had served several committees of the University Grants Commission of India (UGC). He also served the Governing Council of the National Assessment and Accreditation Commission (NAAC) for three years. He is also an avid promoter of media training and education and founded Madurai Media and Film Studies Academy (MMFSA). He is also a documentary filmmaker.

Creative Leads (Alternative Art Education)

Ponkundram

Creative Photography

Ponkundram won the acclaim as the Excellent Student Photographer 2013-14 from the famous Vikatan Publications which media house, he joined as Press Photographer. Leaving Vikatan Ponkundram joined MMFSA/CEDAR team. He trained himself as a cinematographer and taught cinematography to media students. He is also a painter in his own right and his works have been well received in Chennai exhibitions. He is very keen to develop innovative alternative art pedagogy for children. Apart from being a creative lead, he takes care of the overall Coordination of the Children’s Resource Centres.

Basheer Khan

Children Making Children’s Film

Basheer specializes in ‘Children Making Children’s Film’ as an alternative media strategy and for as a capacity building for children for making personal and community video narratives and documentaries. He takes the lead role in the Social Documentary Making Project of CEDAR. Basheer shaped himself as a filmmaker very early that he received an award from the hands of K. Balachandar the legendary film director. He is also an experienced event manager. Basheer coordinates CEDAR’s Youth Training programme. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Communication.

Selvam

Theatre

Selvam is a well known Theatre Artiste and trainer. He is one of the rare brand of theatre artiste who believes that theatre is for spearheading change. He is well received in many of the leading Tamilnadu schools as a teacher-trainer of theatre art. His contribution to the development of CRCs has been significant. He is also a registered artiste of the Department of Arts and Culture of the Government of Tamil Nadu. He holds a Diploma in Folk Arts.

Michael Raj

Senior Community Educator (Kovilpatti)

Michael has been working with CEDAR ever since 2010. He started as a Field Assistant and has risen up to hold the position of Field Manager. Michael is a tireless community worker and has been responsible for setting up many of the CRCs in Ettayapuram Block. He also teaches parai the traditional drum, to children. He is primarily responsible for field-level monitoring of the CRCs. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Tamil Language and Literature.

Marikannan

Creative Lead Videographic Narration (Kovilpatti)

Marikkannan’s association with CEDAR spans over a period of 20 years and goes back to his childhood days. He was an active member of CEDAR’s Children’s Collective as a child. Though he is assigned the job of field level assistance, he teaches children computer basics and dance. He is a member of ‘Forum for Child Rights Monitoring’ a state level platform for child protection since 2016. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics.

Administration

Ms. Muthu Priya

Accounts Officer

Before joining CEDAR Muthu Priya had acquired more than 10 years work experience. Starting her career in an NGO, she later shifted to the corporate sector. Working for Aparajitha Corporation she worked in the areas of Labour Law and Financial Law Compliances. She joined CEDAR in 2019. She takes care of Accounts, Statutory Compliances and Office Administration.

Thaveethu Raja

Programme Assistant

One of the long serving employees of CEDAR, Thaveethu joined CEDAR in 2005. With multifaceted abilities and the right attitude for work Thaveethu runs that much required extra mile to run the office on a day to day basis. Coming from very trying circumstances Thaveethu had to fight many odds before he entered CEDAR, his second home. He is a matriculate.