May 25th, 2026

IITKGP Alum Mukund Padmanabhan and his Guru Krupa Foundation (GKF) Extend Support for IITKGP's Academy of Classical and Folk Arts

IITKGP Foundation 

Mukund Padmanabhan (Class of 1987), distinguished alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IITKGP), has contributed an additional $62,000 to support the Academy of Classical and Folk Arts (ACFA) at IITKGP, further strengthening a transformative initiative that blends culture with technical education. 

Mukund's continued generosity, through the Guru Krupa Foundation (GKF), has become a cornerstone of support for ACFA since its inception. Established to integrate India's classical and folk arts into IIT Kharagpur's academic ecosystem, ACFA seeks to foster a more holistic educational environment that nurtures creativity alongside scientific and technological excellence. In 2019, GKF facilitated the creation of ACFA's music auditorium at IIT Kharagpur. Since then, GKF has provided sustained annual support for the Academy's operational needs, including organizing folk arts workshops, engaging teaching and research fellows, and expanding opportunities for students to experience India's rich artistic traditions firsthand.

Mukund's contributions were recognized during IITKGP Director Professor Suman Chakraborty's visit to the United States in April–May 2026. At an alumni networking dinner in New York City, Director Chakraborty and Dean of Alumni Affairs Professor Siddarth Mukhopadhyay felicitated Mukund for his enduring support of ACFA and his broader contributions to the institute.

Earlier during the delegation's U.S. visit, Mukund, who serves on the advisory board of the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering, played a key role in facilitating discussions between UCLA administrators and faculty and the IIT Kharagpur delegation to explore avenues for future collaboration and academic partnership.

Conceived and funded by Mukund, Guru Krupa Foundation is guided by a board of trustees composed entirely of IIT Kharagpur alumni. Through the IITKGP Foundation USA, GKF has supported several impactful initiatives beyond ACFA, including international research internships for undergraduate IIT Kharagpur students and externship opportunities for visiting international students studying at the institute. These programs provide students with valuable exposure to leading global institutions, strengthening both their academic and professional development.

For nearly two decades, Guru Krupa Foundation has pursued a singular mission: improving the lives of the underprivileged through thoughtful and sustained philanthropy. Under Mukund Padmanabhan's leadership, the Foundation has invested in a wide range of causes—from access to food and shelter, scholarships and fellowships at leading institutions, and support for Indian cultural and spiritual programs, to environmental initiatives with a particular focus on clean water.

Congratulating Mukund and Guru Krupa Foundation, Asoke DeySarkar, President of IITKGP Foundation USA, reflected on the impact of their contributions:

“Mukund's visionary contributions have transformed the cultural and academic landscape of IIT Kharagpur, seamlessly integrating the arts into a premier technical institution. His efforts have empowered students to explore global opportunities and advanced research while celebrating India's rich cultural heritage.”

Mukund Padmanabhan and GKF's enduring support and partnership with IIT Kharagpur exemplifies the powerful role alumni philanthropy can play in shaping a more globally engaged, culturally grounded, and intellectually vibrant campus.