Vinod Nambiar is a software engineer with a passion for Kerala's cultural heritage. He has 15 years of experience in the software industry and holds a master's degree in computer application. He was born in Valluvanad, Kerala and had a keen interest in local traditions from a young age. He co-founded Vayali, a nonprofit focused on preserving folklore, folk art, folk music and dance. Vayali faced early challenges but is now self-sustaining and spreading awareness of Kerala's ethnic culture. Nambiar has received several awards for his work with Vayali and conducting research on bamboo culture. He is also involved with three other local organizations focused on healthcare, education,

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Vinod Nambiar
vinodarangode@gmail.com
Phone: +919446938770
I am a software engineer with a strong interest in Kerala’s cultural heritage and
traditional knowledge systems. Computers are my profession and folklore is
my passion. I have been working in Software Industry for the last 15 years. I
hold a masters degree in computer application and few professional
certifications in Project Management, NGO Management and Creative
Writing.
I was born and brought up in what is known as Valluvanad – an area formed
by contiguous portions of Palakkad, Malappuram and Thrissur Districts in
Kerala. My native village is Arangottukara, a little hamlet on the banks of the
river Nila that’s rich in culture and steeped in tradition. Right from childhood,
I had a keen interest in assimilating local knowledge and in observing and
absorbing the local ethos. In course of time I understood the value of our
native culture and traditional knowledge, and the pressing need for preserving
it in the face of rapid transition. I joined hands with a few like­minded friends,
and ​Vayali (​www.vayali.org​ ) ​was born.
The early days of Vayali were very challenging. Most of the members were
from economically backward communities who eked out a meager livelihood
doing odd jobs. Being the sole breadwinners in their respective families made
their position even more precarious. However all were driven by a passion for
folklore, folk art, folk music, folk dance and folk culture. After much brain
storming we arrived at this decision: make folklore, art, music, dance and
culture our means for livelihood, and in the process promote these traditional
forms of expression. Today Vayali is self sustaining and continues to spread
awareness about our ethnic uniqueness. My contribution to Vayali won me the
Changelooms ­ Young Social Changemaker Award in 2008 and "Excellence
Award for National Social Activity in 2012 " from Global Achievers
Foundation. The ​Kerala State Youth Welfare board had identified me as the
first Swami Vivekanda Youth Award winner in 2013. My interest in the
academic aspect of this topic secured Junior Research Fellowship in 2013
from the Culture Ministry to carry out a study on the cultural aspects of
Bamboo.

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I am also closely associated with three other grass root institutions :
● Aim Mental and Pallative Care Services: I jioined with few like
mined people in our village ( Arangottukara) way back in 2013 to
extend services to the people who are in need for medical care and
support, especially mental and palliative patients. Thus AiM
(Arangottukara initiative for the Mankind ) Mental and Palliative Care
Services formed. We are slowly but steadily expanding the service with
all the resource constraints. However, we are serving around 12 metal
care patients and 4 palliative patients. We are tying hard to make it
sustainable by sourcing resources locally; bit hard but slowly getting the
momentum.
● Deepthi Trust Educational Services ( DiTES): ​We felt the need to do
something in our village to train and equip the new generation for the
needs of the new job markets. We in association with libraries and few
other educational institutions conduct regular and weekend training
sessions on various topics connected with competitive exams and
general communicative / educational topics. We had two successful
batches with average strength of 20 participants for the Kerala Public
Service Commission’s Lower Division and Last Grade exams. Planning
to make this as a regular platform for the job aspirants to get prepared.
● National Campaign for Peopl’s Right to Information (NCPRI):
Recently, joined the actions of NCPRI to support the local people, who
are desperately looking for solutions to their pressing issues. We are in
the process of expanding the network all the panchayaths and run
regular camps; where in people can approach for various supports which
they are eligible.
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