EP #7: Jananie Baskaran – Raising $60K For Charity Using Photography

Jananie Baskaran is a photographer, artist, and founder of the non-profit organization Palm Roots. She joins Ara to discuss how she raised $60,000 through sponsorships, what it was like being one of the first female photographers in the Tamil community, and how The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari completely shifted her perspective, before Ara runs her through another speed round of Would You Rather.


***To support the work we do to tell creator stories around the world, become a VIP fan – CLICK HERE!***

**For a chance to win a $100 gift card and get future podcast updates, interviews and other news, please sign up for the newsletter – CLICK HERE!**

Connect with her:

Ep7 Timestamps

00:15 – Introducing Jananie Baskaran

01:47 – How her visit to Jaffna lead to the creation of her non-profit Palm Roots

03:53 – Raising $60,000 and the sponsors that helped make it happen

04:49 – How transparency lead to the evolution of Palm Roots

06:18 – Jananie’s plans for Palm Roots going forward

07:23 – The negative perception of Jaffna (Jananie’s ambition to
display the positive), and the entrepreneurial energy of the Tamil
community

09:19 – Jananie’s writing work, and speaking on the feeling of being a social outcast

16:34 – Being one of first female photographers in the Tamil
community and how the scene has changed since, in addition to how COVID
has affected photographers

19:29 – The importance of art in the world despite the negative perception that surrounds it as a career choice

22:08 – Medical field by day, photography and creative arts by night

23:52 – The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari completely changed Jananie’s perspective

25:52 – How self-reflection has helped Jananie overcome the famous Tamil phrase “what will other people think”

29:20 – Where Jananie sees herself in the next 3-5 years

29:55 – Wanting to be remembered for living life on her own terms and embodying kindness

31:45 – The legacy Ara wants to leave behind

32:32 – Finding identity in being Tamil

35:59 – Jananie’s admiration for Tamil immigrants and Princess Diana

39:29 – Advice Jananie would give to other aspiring Tamil creators

41:33 – Would You Rather

46:40 – Wrap Up