The journey of The Mindful Connect began in Pallipalayam, a small town in Tamil Nadu, India, where I was raised in an orthodox joint family as the eldest child. My mother, Mrs. Ranganayaki Arunachalam, and grandmother, Mrs. Rasathi Dhandapani, were my first and greatest inspirations.
From watching them create intricate kolams, do beautiful embroidery, weave baskets, make clay dolls, and tie flawless flower garlands, I developed a deep love for art and tradition along with a natural sense of aesthetics. Their tender care for our garden, cow, dog, and birds taught me empathy at a very young age.
By the time I finished school, creativity and colours had become an essential part of my everyday life. During my college life, hostel days were filled with lots of painting, crochet work, and learning new arts and crafts—nurturing my artistic mind. I fondly cherish my Wi-Fi-free childhood and college years, filled with hands-on learning and heartfelt connections.

The First Step into Teaching
In 1998, I placed a newspaper advertisement for the first-ever summer camp in Erode. Since it was the first time in Erode, many children joined, and it became a huge success. That experience marked the true beginning of my journey as an art teacher.
In the years that followed, I learned more art forms, including Indian tribal and folk arts, from various mentors and teachers.

A Dark Phase and the Healing Power of Colours
During my first pregnancy, tragedy struck—I lost my father unexpectedly. The last three months before my delivery were emotionally unbearable.
It was during this time that colours came to my rescue. I immersed myself in painting and realised something profound—colours have the incredible power to heal the heart and mind. If they could help me cope with deep grief, I wondered, how much happiness and peace they could bring to a healthy mind!

Expanding My Vision
Years later, alongside my regular teaching, I sought to explore the connection between colours and psychological well-being more deeply.
In 2018, I travelled to Singapore to attend an Art Therapy course, which opened my mind to new possibilities. Motivated to continue, I completed a Diploma in Art Therapy.

Throughout my journey, my husband, Mr. Sai Parandaman, has stood by me as my steadfast pillar of support.
This combination of artistic skills and psychological knowledge enabled me to not only teach creative techniques but also nurture my students’ emotional well-being. I noticed a significant change—children who engaged with colours became more focused, positive, and confident. Many of them improved academically and excelled in other fields as well. This reinforced my belief that spreading happiness through colours was not just my calling—it is my life’s mission.