Who we
are
About Samva Collective
Samva is a creative collective rooted in rural India, dedicated to transforming micro and nano enterprises into aspirational brands. Our name reflects our ethos: Samvad - dialogue and Vani - voice, symbolising our commitment to communication, empowerment, and cultural integrity.
We work closely with women-led and community-based entrepreneurs, building inclusive pathways for sustainable growth.
Vision
To unlock the potential of micro and nano enterprises by transforming their products and services into recognisable, trusted, and aspirational brands.
Mission
To provide accessible, affordable, and culturally relevant branding and marketing solutions tailored for emerging rural entrepreneurs, enabling them to grow sustainably and reach wider markets.
Our Values
Equity
We create fair, inclusive pathways for entrepreneurs and communities.
Empowerment
We enable individuals to own their voice, story, and future.
Respect
We honour local cultures, languages, and lived wisdom.
Integrity
We act with honesty, transparency, and accountability.
Collaboration
We believe in collective creativity and shared ownership.
Sustainability
We design for long-term impact, not short-term fixes.
Samva Sabha
It Begins with Us & Grows with You
Renza Kalarikkandy Maliyekkal
Founder, CEO
Renza is a strategist, communicator, and Kalaripayattu practitioner passionate about rural empowerment, gender equity, and storytelling. With a PhD (in progress) from Erasmus University Rotterdam and a background in research and movement, she brings together academic rigour and lived experience to shape Samva's vision. She has worked across development communication, education, artisan livelihoods, and social justice, and has served on the Research Ethics Committee at Erasmus School of Philosophy
Muhassin
Founder, COO
Muhassin is a filmmaker, creative entrepreneur, and the co-founder of Nano Media. With deep roots in the picturesque coastal town of Ponnani and a sharp eye for visual narrative, he specialises in telling the stories of Indian enterprises with clarity and impact. His work blends aesthetics with advocacy, enabling rural brands to shine in urban and digital markets. He co-founded Samva to build bridges between grassroots entrepreneurs and global platforms.
CA Siyahul Rahman P
Fiscal Strategy Partner
Siyahul is a Chartered Accountant with a strong track record in financial planning, taxation, and compliance. With nearly a decade of experience spanning corporate finance, statutory advisory, and teaching law, he brings deep expertise in Indian Taxation, Corporate Laws, and financial structuring for emerging enterprises. Siyahul has also taught law and finance, combining technical knowledge with strong communication and mentorship skills.
R Sai Shiva Jayanth
Advisor
Jayanth is an Assistant Professor at IIM Visakhapatnam. He has a PhD in Economics from the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode, India. His areas of interest are Development Economics, Behavioral Economics, Development Finance and Public Policy. He has published several research papers, case studies and newspaper articles. Prior to his PhD, Jayanth qualified as a Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary. Jayanth is also Co-Founder and Director at Script Craft, which develops AI/ML tools for screenplay analytics, and Cheers Wisdom, a platform building the world's first Situational Wisdom engine using crowd intelligence.
Ratheesh Sundaram
Advisor
Ratheesh is a documentary photographer and visual storyteller whose work investigates identity, cultural memory, and socio-political life in India. Trained as a historian, he holds a postgraduate degree from the University of Kerala, where his research on European settlements and Kolkata's Chinese New Year was published. He has worked as a photojournalist with The New Indian Express, India Today, and The Times of India, while developing long-term independent projects rooted in historical inquiry and humanist storytelling. His notable works include a visual archive of the Armenian Christian community in India, and Polyphonic Narratives of Transgender Lives in India—an ongoing project supported by a grant from the University of Würzburg, Germany. In 2024, Ratheesh completed the International Photography Program at Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, Dhaka. He now focuses on artistic documentary practice that weaves together personal and collective histories through a socio-political and humanitarian lens.
Nileena Rajan
Design Innovation Lead
Nileena is a product designer from NID with a background in accessory design from NIFT. She brings deep experience in working with traditional crafts like Channapatna and Bidri, and has developed products that blend cultural relevance with everyday utility. Her work centres on co-creating with artisans to build market-ready, meaningful products rooted in local wisdom and sustainable practices.
Keerthana Dev
Designer
Keerthana is a multidisciplinary designer with a background in Communication Design from NIFT. She brings brands to life by shaping their visual identities and building strong, strategic foundations. With a sharp eye for detail and a deep understanding of storytelling, she creates design systems that are both thoughtful and passionate about crafting meaningful experiences.
Mamta Srinivas
Tech & Systems Architect
Mamta is a full-stack engineer and former architect who bridges the worlds of design, code, and systems thinking. With over a decade of experience across architecture, logistics tech, and UX, she currently works in Sweden, building tools that enhance user experience and operational flow. Trained in advanced architecture and web development, she brings a rare blend of structural design sensibility and digital creativity to inclusive tech-building efforts.
In Partnership, For Progress
Our work is rooted in co-creation with communities, institutions, and ecosystems to build lasting, inclusive change