About Varam Foundation

Education empowers. Life Skills shape our destiny. Art nourishes humanity.

These three ingredients are a must for every individual and for a better society. Varam foundation was founded with a focus to empower underprivileged children and young adults holistically, through Life Skills, Arts and Education. And help people lead a life with dignity.

Our Founder

Kalyani Hariharan has a double masters in English Literature and music and a HR from Symbiosis Institute, Pune . As a Zero Limits Behavioral Coach and speaker Kalyani has a wide range of experience in training people in corporates and educational institutions . With her passion to make a difference to the lives of next gen, Kalyani is on a mission to create a better future for the underprivileged and a brighter India, starting with various initiatives in Tamil Nadu.

Our Vision

Empowering the underprivileged children through Arts and Education.
Partnering with government schools to enhance learning.
Improve employability skills among the youth
Create Intergenerational GYAN GRAM HUBS in villages in Tamil Nadu

Our Mission

Holistic learning for the underprivileged.
Holistic living for retired educators, Artistes’ and others.

The mission of Varam Foundation is to reach out to as many children as possible and give them their right of learning. We are constantly expanding the scope and reach of our programmes so as to benefit many more underprivileged children. We are backed by a committed team of expert instructors from various fields and a dedicated team of volunteers.

Varam Foundation is in collaboration with other NGOs and organizations in conducting workshops for prison inmates in jails, and teaching life skills in government schools.

The Varam Foundation family

Our team

The Varam Foundation family

Passion to create a better society and bringing a smile on a person’s face, is our binding force.

Kalyani Hariharan

Founder of Varam Foundation

Kalyani Hariharan , founder of Varam Foundation is a motivational speaker and Zero Limits Behavioral coach. She is a social solopreneur and believes in the innate goodness in an individual. ‘Education can be a great leveller’ says Kalyani. With education and opportunities for holistic development, the socially advantaged children can hope for a better life. Education and skill development will definitely reduce crime among youngsters and create a peaceful society. As a singer and speaker , kalyani wants to bring a change in the society, however small. Vibrant and with a always live it up attitude, kalyani’s journey of a thousand miles , starts with this small single step.

Aldrin Edwards

Lives builder

Aldrin Edwards – A civil engineer by profession believes not only in constructing quality homes but also in building quality lives. Inculcating discipline and good habits in youngsters is his way to create a model life. He plays the stern but lovable godfather to the children and a helping hand to the elderly.

Rajesh Ramadurai

Co-founder of Inzpera

Rajesh Ramadurai – Co-founder of Inzpera, a pharmaceutical organization is an advocate of healthy habits leading to happier lives. He mentors the children and also conducts workshops for them in skill building.

Raju Nagarajan

Advisor and mentor.

Raju Nagarajan – A media man by profession, Mr Raju Nagarajan brings to the table 40 years of experience , as an advisor and mentor. He heads the Learning and Development wing and helps in content creation and modules on various subjects. Through his lens and words, Mr Nagarajan, brings to life, our various projects and his passion drives us all more towards our goal.

Hariharan Visvanathan

The ‘go to’ person

Hariharan Visvanathan - The ‘go to’ person for the entire team , Hariharan guides us all in documentation and administration work. Leaving the rest of us to to be on the field. He anchors us in our work as well as in our dreams to create a better society.

Anand Ramadurai

Our biggest cheerleader

Anand Ramadurai – Anand , is our biggest cheerleader and adds a lot of colour and bonding to our foundation. He teaches and mentors young adults whenever time permits and is a great listener – to all our tales of success and disappointments.

Viji Iyer

The money woman

Viji Iyer – The money woman- She takes care of the finances of Varam foundation and is diligent to the penny. Not even a rupee given to a beggar is left not recorded.She brings in a lot of calm to the creative chaos that sometimes exists. She is supported ably by our chartered accountant firm AGMK associates and their founder Mr Muthukumaran.

Our Extended family

Bala karthik

Photography and Vidoes - BK studios

Surendar

Design & Branding Partner - Webchirpy.com

Our Journey

2008

Founded Chellaram Trust
Workshops / Summer Camp at NGOs
2009

Faculty Empowerment Workshops
2011

Trained 3 Womens from disadvantaged society as home nurses.

4 Inter-Community Marriages
2012

Trainings and Worksphops.

Faculty Empowerment Workshops.
2013

4 Inter-community Marriages Workshops.

Summer Camp at NGOs.
2018

Renaming of the Trust as VARAM FOUNDATION TRUST.

First Public Fund Raising Musical Event

Formation of Sarvam Choir

Creating & Constructing India’s first Inter-generational
GYAN GRAM HUB at Athigudi

Workshop for teachers at Athigudi

ART CAMP at Athigudi
2019

Foundation Stone for GYAN GRAM Workshops - 20

Coaching 10000 students

Senior citizen /artistes -10

Events - 2

Employability Skills workshop - 3

Outreach programmes - 2
2020

Workshops - 50

Coaching 50000

students Senior citizen /artistes - 25

Events - 2

Employability Skills workshop - 20

Outreach programmes - 5

GYAN GRAM HUBS - 2

Construction of FARM SCHOOL at Athigudi
2021

Workshops - 75

Coaching of students – 1,00,000

Public Events - 2

SARVAM CHOIR PERFORMANCES - 5