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Sita Cultural Center

The people of Sita

Partners, guides and teachers who share Pondicherry, its food and its crafts the way they live them.

Join us Teach or share a skill at Sita
2012
Opened
0
People
0
Experiences
The blue Sita Cultural Center villa with colourful bicycles parked outside

The partners

Vinna Vienne

Managing Partner

Vinna Vienne

Born in India and brought up in France, Vinna is Franco-Indian, and she lives between two horizons. A historian with a master’s in Franco-Indian relations, she studied Tamil and Indian civilisation, taught, guided and wrote about India for years, and founded Absara Voyages to show French-speaking travellers an India beyond the clichés. At Sita she is Managing Partner, the one who gives the house its cultural soul: the stories behind the food, the crafts and the streets. Guests meet a warm, curious host who loves to share the India she loves.

Ajith Muthu

Managing Partner

Ajith Muthu

Born in Auroville, the international city, Ajith holds a B.E. in Computer Science and loves to travel and explore. He speaks Tamil, English and French, which makes him a natural link between local people and visitors from abroad. He joined hands with Vinna to start Absara Voyages and Sita, and today he is the other pillar of Sita: he manages the administration, the logistics and the web design, so the house and the website run smoothly for every guest.

The house

The people who run the house and the rides, from the front desk to the garden.

Dhinesh

Dhinesh

Operations manager · Cycle and village tour guide

With a strong academic background in tourism and advanced tourism certifications, Dhinesh loves Pondicherry and loves to show it: the golden streets of the French quarter, the sea breeze, the old stories and the quiet life of the villages around. On our cycle tour and village tour he takes guests to the places and people that make the town special, with stories you will not find in a guidebook. As operations manager of Sita, he also looks after the team and the daily running of the house, so every guest enjoys a smooth, warm stay.

Dhivia

Dhivia

Receptionist

Born and raised in Pondicherry, Dhivia holds a B.Com. and an MBA, and is the first smile you meet at Sita. She welcomes guests, answers questions and looks after the practical details of your visit. She loves meeting people from all over the world and learning from them, and she is proud to introduce visitors to Indian culture, traditions and local experiences, so that every guest feels welcome, comfortable and connected.

Ravi

Ravi

Maintenance · Heritage house and cycles

Born and raised in Puducherry, Ravi takes care of our heritage house and keeps every vintage cycle in good shape: the repairs, the upkeep, the checks before each ride. He also helps on the cycle tours, so every cycle is ready and safe before the group sets off. Away from work he is a baker, with a small bakery of his own after a professional baking course, and a state-level pétanque player. Hard work, teamwork and a calm, can-do spirit are what he brings to Sita every day.

Teressa

Teressa

Housekeeping

Born and raised in Pondicherry, Teressa studied up to the 7th grade at a local government school, then went to work early. She is a single mother of two who also cares for her own mother, and she has worked hard for her family ever since, in grocery stores, guesthouses and homestays. At Sita she keeps the house, the studios and the kitchen clean, fresh and welcoming for every guest, and takes real pride in it. Sincere, hardworking and always ready to learn, she cares for every corner of Sita as if it were her own home.

Sathyamoorthy

Sathyamoorthy

Gardener

Sathyamoorthy spent 37 years in the Government Horticulture Department, and he brings all that knowledge and a real love of plants to the garden and rooftop of Sita. He has also cared for the gardens of several homes and villas in White Town. Brisk, tireless and proud of his work, he keeps every corner green, fresh and welcoming for our guests. For us he is more than a gardener: he is the careful caretaker who helps Sita Garden flourish.

  1. Swathi

    Swathi

    Indian cooking instructor · kolam, saree draping

    Born and raised in a village, Swathi holds B.Com. and M.Com. degrees and loves Indian traditions, culture and heritage. As our Indian cooking instructor she teaches traditional South Indian dishes, authentic spices and homemade recipes. She is also passionate about traditional doll making, handicrafts, kolam, saree draping and gardening, and wants to share and preserve a traditional way of life.

  2. Vinolaya

    Vinolaya

    French cooking teacher · saree draping, kolam

    Vinolaya holds B.A. and B.Ed. degrees. Cooking was her passion first, French cuisine above all, and what began as a hobby grew into a profession after she took a professional French cooking course. Today she is our French cooking teacher, sharing French dishes, techniques and presentation. She also teaches saree draping and kolam.

  3. Kiruthika

    Kiruthika

    Saree drapist · Mehendi artist · Art teacher

    Kiruthika is a professional saree drapist, mehendi artist and traditional art teacher from Pondicherry. She holds a Master’s degree in Commerce from Pondicherry University, yet her heart has always belonged to creativity. Since childhood she has loved every form of art: the geometry of kolam, the storytelling of Madhubani painting, garland making, jimikki making, candle making and cooking. For her, art is a spiritual journey, and teaching brings her inner peace, patience and kindness. She shares her knowledge with unconditional love, so that the rich essence of Indian tradition and culture lives on in the next generation.

  4. Shafir

    Shafir

    Bollywood dance teacher

    A passionate dancer from Pondicherry, Shafir specialises in Bollywood, B-boying and freestyle. He loves teaching beginners and school students, starting from the basics and building a strong foundation, so that everyone gains confidence and learns to express themselves through dance. His classes are joyful and friendly, whether or not you have ever danced before. For him, dance is creativity, positive energy and a way to inspire others.

  5. David

    David

    Pottery instructor

    Born and raised in a village, David holds a diploma in catering and has a deep love for Indian traditions, culture and heritage. As our pottery instructor he teaches traditional methods and techniques: you learn to centre the clay on the wheel and shape your own small cup, with his patient hands guiding yours. He is also passionate about handcrafted work and cooking, and hopes to share and preserve traditional values so that visitors come to appreciate the beauty of Indian culture and a traditional way of life.

  6. Ranjana

    Ranjana

    Yoga instructor · Kumbhak mentor

    Ranjana is an experienced yoga instructor and Kumbhak mentor with over ten years in yoga, wellness and education. She is qualified in yoga therapy, sound healing, foot reflexology and pregnancy yoga, and she guides breathing, meditation and gentle postures at the pace and ability of each guest, blending traditional yogic practice with personal attention. With a background in teaching, administration and creative design, she is a warm, adaptable and people-centred teacher. Her wish is simple: to help people feel better in body and mind, so that health and calm spread to their families and communities.

Teach with us

Got a skill worth sharing?

Sita is a home for people who love to teach: cooking, crafts, dance, music, wellness, languages, art, anything handed down by hand and heart. If you have knowledge, experience or a craft that visitors would love to learn, share it with our guests.

  • You teach in our villa
  • We bring the guests and look after booking and payment
  • You are paid for every session
Teach at SitaSee the experiences

Or simply come and meet us: book a ride or a class online.

Illustration: a woman in a red saree guides a girl painting a colourful rangoli, while a dancer in a red costume and a guitarist share their art in the sunlit courtyard behind them
Illustration: the kind of skills we welcome, from art and dance to music.