Sri Suresh Neotia, Chairman of Jnana-Pravaha, comes from a very established business family with more than 100 years standing. He is a well known art connoisseur of the country and his collections are housed in the Jnana-Pravaha Museum. A catalogue entitled 'Indian Art Treasures - Suresh Neotia Collection' has also been published by the Institution. His keen interest in performing arts, theatre and dance has resulted in promotion of several cultural institutions in Kolkata. Sri Neotia has travelled extensively throughout the world and is associated with a number of esteemed Organizations in different capacities, like Vice-Chairman, National Culture Fund; Member of Board of Governors of Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad; Trustee, India International Centre, New Delhi; Chairman, Ambuja Cement Foundation; Director, Ambuja Educational Institute; Founder and served as Committee Member and President, Anamika Kala Sangam, Kolkata; Founder Trustee, Padatik Culture Centre - a dance and theatre institute recognized by ministry of HRD; Chairman and Trustee, Govind Deo Ji Trust, etc. The Government of India embellished Sri Suresh Neotia with the prestigious award 'Padmabhushan' in 2008 for his philanthropic services to the society.

Smt. Bimla Poddar, Managing Trustee of Jnana-Pravaha, was born in a very old family of Chirawa, Rajasthan. Her father Sri Satyanarayan Sekhsaria was a leading cotton merchant in Mumbai. Her father-in-law Sri Janki Prasad Poddar was from the illustrious family of Tarachand Ghanshyamdas, which finds mention in every book on Marwaris as the oldest Marwari business family in the country. After becoming widow at an early age, Smt. Poddar gained back her composure after a while and got associated with her brother-in-law Suresh Neotia having keen interest in learning and collecting Indian Art. As a result, she came in contact with several Indian and foreign art historians, scholars and collectors of Indian Art and developed deep understanding of the aesthetics of these objects. In the process, she travelled extensively to visit various archaeological sites and museums in India and abroad and exchanged views with a large number of foreign scholars. Meanwhile, she also grasped the literature and epics strongly that inspired the Indian Art. Intense love for ancient Indian cultural ethos and understanding its deep-rooted values compelled Smt. Poddar to work for the preservation and promotion of Indian Heritage. Subsequently, she moved to Varanasi, the cultural capital of India, and set up the Institute 'Jnana-Pravaha' in 1997 to fulfil her long cherished dream.

Dr. Bhanu Shankar Mehta is a Medical Practitioner by profession and is associated with Indian Medical Association. But his hobby and keen interest in theatre, music and creative writing and thirst for knowledge of Indian Culture and the holy city of Banaras transformed him into 'The Living Encyclopaedia of Banaras', as he is known among the Banarasis. He has authored, edited and translated a number of books on various aspects of Indian Culture, including short stories, essays, poetry and children's literature. Dr. Mehta has also served the All India Radio in Varanasi, Allahabad and Lucknow. He has travelled extensively in India and abroad and disseminated the cultural ethos of India. He is the recipient of many prestigious awards and honours from various organizations.

Prof. Pramod Chandra is a scholar of wide range having written books and articles on architecture, sculptures and paintings. He acquired his Ph.D. from University of Bombay in 1964 and held important positions in different organizations during his career. He served as the Curator of Prince of Wales Museum, Western India (1952-1964); Professor in Art, University of Chicago (1964-1980) and George P. Bickford Professor of Indian Art, Harvard University, USA (1980 to the present). Prof. Chandra founded the American Academy of Art, Varanasi (now in Gurgaon) in 1965 and remained its Director till 1975. He also founded the American Committee for South Asian Art and served as its President till 1975. He was the Guest Curator of the Festival of Indian Art Exhibition at National Gallery of Art, Washington, USA in 1985. His students are scattered in different parts of the globe adorning important posts in esteemed institutions, like British Museum, San Diego Museum of Art, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, University of Virginia, University of Vermont, etc.

Prof. Yugal Kishore Mishra, Former Vice-Chancellor of Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Rajasthan Sanskrit University, Jaipur and the recipient of a dozen of Honours and Awards in the field of education from various organizations like Rajasthan Sanskrit Academy, Uttar Pradesh Sanskrit Sansthan, etc., is currently working as the Head, Department of Vedic Studies, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi. He has also been the Dean, Faculty of Veda & Vedic Studies; Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the same University; Member-Secretary, Maharshi Sandipani Rashtriya Veda Vidya Pratishthan, Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India, Ujjain and the Visiting Fellow under U.G.C. scheme at Dayalbagh Educational Institute (Deemed University), Agra and Gurukul Kangri University, Haridwar. A number of students have completed their Ph.D. and D.Litt. Degrees under his supervision. Prof. Mishra has authored and edited several books and published research papers on the subjects concerned with the Vedas. He has participated in numerous conferences in India and abroad and is the active Member of various government and non-government bodies and committees.

Prof. M. N. P. Tiwari is working in the Department of History of Art, Banaras Hindu University. He served the Department as Head also. He specializes in Jaina Iconography, but he has worked extensively on different areas of Indian Art and has more than 100 research papers to his credit. He published several books, mainly on Jaina Art and Iconography, which are both in English and Hindi. He visited U.K. and Berlin as the Nehru Trust Fellow and also successfully organized the U.G.C. National Seminar on 'Art of Khajurao' in 1987. Prof. Tiwari has been honoured twice by the Presidents of India, in 1995 and 1998. He has also been the Editor of 'Kala - The Journal of Indian Art History Congress'. Presently, he is working on U.G.C. Major Research Project as Principal Investigator on 'Gommateshwar Bahubali'.

Prof. Anjan Chakraverty acquired his Graduation, Post-Graduation and Doctoral Research in Painting from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi and is currently working as the Dean, Faculty of Visual Arts in the same university. He has about twenty-five research papers and several books on Indian Painting and Textile History to his credit. Prof. Chakraverty has organized five Solo Exhibitions in New Delhi, Kolkata and Kathmandu; and participated in about fifty Group Shows held in different countries. His works adorn various private and institutional collections in India and abroad. He shares his time between painting and teaching. He is also working on a number of publications related to paintings and textiles to be published by Jnana-Pravaha in near future.

Prof. Kamal Giri retired from the Department of History of Art, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi after completing her 33 years of teaching assignment and is currently working as the Hon. Director of Jnana-Pravaha. Prof. Giri published more than 100 research papers on different aspects of Indian Art and Culture and also has five books to her credit. She is honoured by the President of India for the publications. She has been the Assistant Editor of the prestigious publication 'Chhavi - Felicitation Volume of Rai Krishnadas' and Editor of 'Khajuraho in Perspective' and 'Kala - The Journal of Indian Art History Congress'. She has been the recipient of UGC, ICHR and Nehru Trust for Victoria and Albert Museum, London research projects. She visited Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore in connection with academic purposes. She has been the convenor for the UGC Panel - History of Art and Fine Arts and Nodal Person - Curriculum Development Committee at UGC, New Delhi.

Dr. N. P. Joshi, Hon. Acharya of Jnana-Pravaha and Former Director, State Museum, Lucknow, specializes in the field of Cultural Studies and Hindu Iconography. He has more than 250 research papers and articles to his credit in Sanskrit, Hindi, English and Marathi published in different Journals, Periodicals, Proceedings, Felicitation Volumes, etc. He has delivered a considerable number of lectures in Hindi, Marathi and English in different Colleges, Universities, Research Institutes, Academic Meets and Social Gatherings in India and abroad. Dr. Joshi authored more than a dozen books and is currently working on inventory of unique and rare Brahmanical sculptures entitled Shilpa-Sahasradala incorporating more than one thousand sculptures of extraordinary iconographic interest. He is the recipient of several awards and felicitations from different Cultural and Religious Institutions for Academic Contributions.

Prof. K. D. Tripathi is presently the Professor Emeritus in Banaras Hindu University. Earlier, he served the University as Head, Department of Religious & Agamic Studies and Dean, Faculty of Sanskrit Learning & Theology. He was also the Director of Kalidasa Akademi, Ujjain and is credited with putting the Akademi on the National and International map. He was also invited as Visiting Professor by the Sorenonne University, Paris and Copenhagen University, Denmark during his long academic career. Prof. Tripathi is credited with the publication of number of books and research papers on various aspects of Indology. He is also associated with a number of Universities, Academies and Institutions of the country and has been honoured by the Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, Jnana Sampada Nyasa, etc. to name a few.

Prof. S. S. Shastri, Retired from Department of Vedic Philosophy, Faculty of Sanskrit Learning & Theology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.

Prof. G. N. Samten, Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, Varanasi, possesses a rare combination of the schooling on modern lines as well as the Tibetan monastic education system. He frequently travels across the continents lecturing to academic audiences in the United States, Europe, Australia, Russia and as well in India. He has been in action at various national and international seminars, workshops and conferences organized in India and abroad. He has held Visiting Professorial assignments at Hampshire, Amherst and Smith Colleges in the U.S.A. and at the University of Tasmania in Australia. Prof. Samten has been on numerous academic bodies, Universities and expert committees of the Ministries, Government of India, and as a member on the boards of several Institutes in Canada, Thailand, France and Austria. He has also served in the Editorial Board of International Association of Tibetan Studies in Harvard. He is a member of various committees, including the Governing Council, of Association of Indian Universities and also chairman/member of various expert committees constituted by the University Grant Commission of India. In 2008, he has been awarded 'Padmashri' by the President of India for his distinguished services in the fields of education and literature.

Prof. H. R. Sharma, Former Head, Department of Veda, Banaras Hindu University, did his Ph.D. in Sanskrit and Acharya in Rigveda from the same university. His field of specialization has been Vedic Etymology, Spiritual aspects of the Vedic Texts and Vedic Architecture. He has a teaching experience of about 30 years with a number of books and research papers published in various national and international journals. Prof. Sharma has supervised 17 Ph.D. degrees and attended more than 25 conferences, seminars, symposia and workshops in India and abroad. He is the member of Advisory Board, International Society for Ayurveda and Health, Farmington Connecticut, U.S.A. and Member of Governing Council, Nalanda Virtual University, Kochi, Kerala. He has also served as the Secretary, Geeta Samiti, Malviya Bhavan, Banaras Hindu University and Convenor, II World Congress on Vedic Sciences, Faculty of Sanskrit Learning and Theology, Banaras Hindu University.

Prof. Yugal Kishore Mishra, Former Vice-Chancellor of Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Rajasthan Sanskrit University, Jaipur and the recipient of a dozen of Honours and Awards in the field of education from various organizations like Rajasthan Sanskrit Academy, Uttar Pradesh Sanskrit Sansthan, etc., is currently working as the Head, Department of Vedic Studies, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi. He has also been the Dean, Faculty of Veda & Vedic Studies; Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the same University; Member-Secretary, Maharshi Sandipani Rashtriya Veda Vidya Pratishthan, Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India, Ujjain and the Visiting Fellow under U.G.C. scheme at Dayalbagh Educational Institute (Deemed University), Agra and Gurukul Kangri University, Haridwar. A number of students have completed their Ph.D. and D.Litt. Degrees under his supervision. Prof. Mishra has authored and edited several books and published research papers on the subjects concerned with the Vedas. He has participated in numerous conferences in India and abroad and is the active Member of various government and non-government bodies and committees.

Prof. Ram Pujan Pandey, Department of Nyaya-Vaisheshika, Faculty of Philosophy, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi.

Dr. Kamla Pandey is currently working as Associate Professor, Department of Sanskrit, Vasanta Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Varanasi. She is the Founder President of 'Sanskrit Matri Mandalam' - an organization committed to the cause of uplifting Sanskrit learning. She has authored a number of books including epics, poetries and commentaries in Sanskrit. She has been the editor of 'Sansiddhi (Prof. S. Bhattacharya & Shastra Parampara)', 'Kalidasa Vangmaya' and 'Devvani ke Naye Sandarbha'. Dr. Pandey has more than 70 research papers to her credit, many articles and poetries published in various national and international journals, magazines and newspapers. She has organized camps, guest lectures, symposia, UGC sponsored National Seminar and attended several conferences, seminars, symposia, congress and 'kavi-sammelana' at different places. She has also delivered a number of lectures, radio talks and television interviews. She holds important positions in various organizations and is the recipient of a number of honours and awards for her academic contributions.

Dr. Chandra Kanta Rai is presently working as the Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Sanskrit, Arya Mahila P.G. College, Varanasi. She received 5 Gold Medals in Acharya Examination and also J.R.F. and S.R.F. from U.G.C. Her area of specialization is Vedic and Sanskrit literature. During her teaching career of about 25 years, she authored a number of books and about 65 research papers and articles published in various national and international journals. She is associated as a member with several committees, organizations and institutions working for Oriental Lore, Indian Culture and Environment. Dr. Rai has been the editor of Sanskrit weekly 'Gandivam' for 10 years and also delivered several Sanskrit talks on All India Radio. Her contribution as Convenor and Director of Sanskrit Plays with innovative interest and emphasis on the presentation of Classical Themes and Characters is laudable. She is honoured with several prizes and awards by different organizations.

Prof. K. K. Sharma, Department of Vedic Philosophy, Faculty of Sanskrit Learning & Theology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.

Dr. Bhanu Shankar Mehta is a Medical Practitioner by profession and is associated with Indian Medical Association. But his hobby and keen interest in theatre, music and creative writing and thirst for knowledge of Indian Culture and the holy city of Banaras transformed him into 'The Living Encyclopaedia of Banaras', as he is known among the Banarasis. He has authored, edited and translated a number of books on various aspects of Indian Culture, including short stories, essays, poetry and children's literature. Dr. Mehta has also served the All India Radio in Varanasi, Allahabad and Lucknow. He has travelled extensively in India and abroad and disseminated the cultural ethos of India. He is the recipient of many prestigious awards and honours from various organizations.

Prof. Sita Ram Dubey, Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology, Banaras Hindu University, has about thirty years of research and teaching experience in the field of Palaeography, Epigraphy, Numismatics, Buddhism, Religion and Society. He conducted explorations in several potential sites is Bilaspur Rajnadgaon, Mandsore Dhar and Raipur districts. He has authored two books and edited seven books. He has supervised twelve Ph.D. students. Prof. Dubey has delivered lectures in the Academic Staff College as a Resource Person and has more than three dozens research papers to his credit published in various national and international journals. He has attended a number of seminars and conferences at different places and has himself organized eight National Seminars.

Prof. Vidula Jayaswal, specializing in Archaeology and Ethno-art-history, is currently working in the Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology, Banaras Hindu University. She was awarded the National Scholarship by the Government of India to conduct research in the Department of Anthropology, University of Berkeley, U.S.A. She has undertaken several Exploration and Excavation projects of Pre-historic and Early Historical sites in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. She participated in various National and International conferences in India and abroad. Prof. Jayaswal has the credit of authoring about a dozen books in English and Hindi and numerous research papers published in various National and International Journals, besides several Book Reviews. She has been the Coordinator of the Ford Foundation Project in Archaeology aiming at Strengthening Scientific Archaeology. She is the Director of the Ramnagar Excavation Project at Varanasi being jointly conducted by the Banaras Hindu University and Jnana-Pravaha.

Prof. Vibha Tripathi, Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology, Banaras Hindu University has over 24 years of research and teaching experience in the field of Ancient Indian History, Culture, Archaeology and History of Science. Five books, fifty-seven research papers, four general articles and four book reviews are to her credit. Eight students have already been awarded Ph.D. degrees under her supervision and six more are working under her. She worked under National Associateship Scheme of the U.G.C. on a Multidisciplinary Project on Iron Age and is presently an Associate of Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla. Prof. Tripathi is the Life Member of Indian Society for Prehistoric and Quarternary Studies and Indian Archaeology Society. She organized a number of seminars, conferences and workshops on archaeological themes, especially Archaeometallurgy.

Prof. M. N. P. Tiwari is working in the Department of History of Art, Banaras Hindu University. He served the Department as Head also. He specializes in Jaina Iconography, but he has worked extensively on different areas of Indian Art and has more than 100 research papers to his credit. He published several books, mainly on Jaina Art and Iconography, which are both in English and Hindi. He visited U.K. and Berlin as the Nehru Trust Fellow and also successfully organized the U.G.C. National Seminar on 'Art of Khajurao' in 1987. Prof. Tiwari has been honoured twice by the Presidents of India, in 1995 and 1998. He has also been the Editor of 'Kala - The Journal of Indian Art History Congress'. Presently, he is working on U.G.C. Major Research Project as Principal Investigator on 'Gommateshwar Bahubali'.

Prof. Manjula Chaturvedi is currently working in the Department of Fine Arts, Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi. She is a National Artist issued by the National Academy of Art and recipient of several fellowships from Germany and India. Her area of specialization is Folk Art of Northern India (theory and practical), History of Art and Landscape Painting. She attended a number of seminars, conferences and workshops in India and abroad. She has also worked on U.G.C. sponsored projects on 'Bronzes from Kinnaur' and 'Medieval Buddhist Art of Western Himalayas'. She has given several radio and television talks and attended press conferences at different places. Prof. Chaturvedi is the member of International Association of Tibetan Studies and International Association of Ladakh Studies, various educational committees of Indian universities, faculties, board of studies, academic/executive councils, research degree committees and advisory boards of different universities and institutions all over India. She has organized 12 solo exhibitions and participated in 50 group shows in India and abroad. She has authored 5 books and several articles on various aspects of Indian art. She has coordinated and organized a number of workshops and exhibitions and also presented lectures and demonstrations in India and abroad.

Prof. Ritwik Sanyal, Former Dean, Faculty of Performing Arts, Banaras Hindu University, is currently working in the Department of Vocal Music in the same University. He underwent rigorous training in Dhrupad genre under eminent Maestros Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar and Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar fro 12 years in Mumbai before obtaining his M. Mus. (Vocal) and Ph.D. (Musicology) degrees from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. He participated in about 30 national and international seminars and conferences in India and abroad. Prof. Sanyal also performed around 300 music concerts in almost all major Music Festivals all over India. He also performed in a number of concerts organized in United Kingdom, Italy, Korea, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, Holland, Israel, Croatia and United States of America. He has two books and about thirty research articles to his credit. Seventeen candidates have received their D. Mus. and Ph.D. degrees under his guidance. He is associated with several organizations of repute in different capacities and has received a number of awards for his services to Indian classical music and education.

Prof. Mridula Sinha, Former Dean, Faculty of Visual Arts, Banaras Hindu University, is currently working as the Head of the Department of Painting in the same University. She obtained her B.F.A. (Gold Medalist), M.F.A. (Gold Medalist) and Ph.D. degrees from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. She organized and participated in a number of solo and group exhibitions in India and abroad. She also attended various artist camps, seminars and slide shows in different parts of the globe. Prof. Sinha is associated with various institutions as a Member and is the recipient of a number of fellowships, awards, prizes and medals from different organizations. Her paintings are adorning several establishments and private collections in India and abroad, such as National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi; Regional Art Centre of Lalit Kala Academy, Lucknow; Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd., New Delhi; Wipro India Ltd., Mumbai; Kerala State Lalith Kala Academy, Thrissur; etc.

Dr. Iravati is working as the Associate Professor and Head, Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology, Vasanta College for Women, Varanasi. She attended a number of seminars at different places and has published about 30 research papers and articles in prestigious research journals and newspapers. She authored two books, viz. 'Performing Artistes in Ancient India' and 'Rajghat: A Glade of Wisdom and Beauty' and a number of plays in Hindi and Urdu. Besides dramatizing several novels and short stories, Dr. Iravati has also translated Tennessee William's play 'The Glass Menagerie' in Hindi. She visited Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon, U.K. in 1970. Contiguous to receiving awards for best acting in several plays on stage, she has also acted in more than 200 radio plays and three tele-films produced by Doordarshan. She has directed 55 plays and also revived 'All Female Theatre', 'Urdu Plays' and 'Open Air Theatre' in Varanasi. She is the life member of Bhikshu Jagdish Kashyap Institute of Buddhist and Asian Studies and Indian Art History Congress. She has been conferred with numerous awards by different institutions for her contribution to academic and cultural pursuits.

Prof. Anjan Chakraverty acquired his Graduation, Post-Graduation and Doctoral Research in Painting from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi and is currently working as the Dean, Faculty of Visual Arts in the same university. He has about twenty-five research papers and several books on Indian Painting and Textile History to his credit. Prof. Chakraverty has organized five Solo Exhibitions in New Delhi, Kolkata and Kathmandu; and participated in about fifty Group Shows held in different countries. His works adorn various private and institutional collections in India and abroad. He shares his time between painting and teaching. He is also working on a number of publications related to paintings and textiles to be published by Jnana-Pravaha in near future.

Prof. T. P. Verma has served the academic world as the Principal, D.A.V. Degree College, Varanasi; Reader, Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology, Banaras Hindu University and Professor & Head, Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology, Gurukul Kangri University, Haridwar. His field of specialization is Ancient Indian Obscure Scripts and Inscriptions. A number of researchers have been awarded Ph.D. Degree under his supervision. About a dozen books and more than 150 research articles authored by him are published in various journals. Prof. Verma has been the editor of several publications of various organizations including the 18 issues of the journals of Numismatic Society of India. He has been associated with several organizations as Founder Member and Life Member also.

Dr. B. R. Mani has been a renowned field archaeologist, numismatist and art critic. At present he is serving as Additional Director General in the Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi. He acquired his Master's degree from Banaras Hindu University and completed his Ph.D. on 'Life in the Kushan Age' from the same University. He served B.H.U. and Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies from 1978 till 1984 as teacher. In 1984 he joined the A.S.I. as Deputy Superintending Archaeologist. As Director (Archaeology) he was involved in conservation of monuments in Maharashtra, Goa, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir. He has discovered a large number of archaeological sites in these places and in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, particularly in Ladakh during his explorations. He has directed more than 14 excavation projects in the country, some of which are Lal Kot (Delhi), Salimgarh (Delhi), Muhammad Nagar and Harnol (Haryana), Siswania, Sankisa, Ayodhya (UP) and Kanispur and Ambaran (J&K). He is member of various national and international organizations in the field and has widely travelled European and Asian countries for international seminars and conferences. He has four books and more than hundred research papers to his credit.