Geeta Ramanujam-Founder Director

  Kathalaya's International Academy of Storytelling

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Geeta Ramanujam is an internationally acclaimed master storyteller, educator, author, and academician, and a pioneering force behind the storytelling movement in India. With over four decades of experience, she has redefined storytelling as a powerful medium for education, communication, and human connection.

As the Founder and Executive Director of Kathalaya Trust – The House of Stories, established in 1998, Geeta has created a vibrant platform that brings stories into classrooms, communities, and organizations. Her work spans schools, corporates, and non-governmental institutions, using storytelling to inspire learning, foster creativity, and build meaningful connections.

She is also the visionary behind Kathalaya’s International Academy of Storytelling, the only globally recognized academy offering multi-level certified storytelling programs affiliated with institutions in the USA, UK, and Sweden. Through the academy, she has trained over 99,000 educators, professionals, and aspiring storytellers, empowering them to use storytelling as both a profession and a life skill.

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Geeta’s work in education is deeply rooted in innovation. A seasoned curriculum designer and communication expert, she has developed impactful training models in teacher capacity building, arts-integrated learning, and experiential education. Her approach transforms classrooms into dynamic, learner-centered spaces where imagination, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence thrive.

Her influence extends across borders. Geeta has travelled to over 48 countries and across India, representing the country as a storytelling ambassador. She has collaborated with global institutions such as the University of Gothenburg and Skövde in Sweden, the Scottish Storytelling Centre in the UK, and leading educational bodies in India, including NCERT and Azim Premji University.

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An accomplished author, Geeta has published several books with leading publishers, including Penguin Random House India. Her work explores storytelling as a tool for learning, communication, and personal growth, helping educators and learners integrate stories into everyday life and practice. Her writing reflects her passion for preserving oral traditions while adapting them to contemporary educational needs-bridging culture, creativity, and pedagogy.

Impact & Recognition

Geeta’s contribution to education and storytelling has been far-reaching:

• Over 99,000 educators trained globally

• Programs delivered across 27 states in India

• Learning models created for tribal and first-generation learners

• Establishment of Story Labs and Story Spaces in schools

Her work has been recognized with numerous awards, including international honours and acknowledgment by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji in “Mann Ki Baat ”. She is also an Ashoka Fellow, recognized for her contribution to social innovation in education.

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