Geeta Poduval is an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, actress, TV anchor,. She is the Founder-Director of DRZYA, the only firm in India that brings differently-abled and unique performances, talks and workshops from across the world on one platform. She is the mentor of The We Are One Trust, a unique differently-abled artist group. Through DRZYA, she scouts for talent among specially abled, trains them and provides them a platform to perform and earn a livelihood. She is an ex CAG Senior Audit Officer. The two notable films to her credit are Sukumarji's Kandethal and Madhu Kaithapram's Vellivelichathil.
Early life and background
Geeta Poduval was born in Ahmedabad in a middle class Malayali family. She joined CAG and passed the internal officer's grade examination. During this time she handled many audits including the UN Audit in Western Africa. She worked for the organisation for twenty years until her voluntary retirement in 2014 as Senior Audit Officer. Parallel to her career, she pursued her singing, classical dancing and acting interests. While in the service, she participated in one of the talent shows on Amrita TV, and then took up various anchoring and acting projects. Geeta also wrote short stories and articles for magazines including Femina and Woman's Era and conducted motivational talk sessions and training programs for government organisations, PSUs and Corporate houses. She has also been involved in social activism. Recently she founded DRZYA, the only firm in India that brings differently-abled and unique performances, talks and workshops from across the world on one platform. She is also the mentor of a differently-abled wheelchair performance group, We Are One.
Anchoring
Geeta has anchored over 100 shows in India and abroad, ranging from award functions, cultural meets, musical nights, corporate events and social meets in Hindi, English, Gujarati and Malayalam languages. Some of her anchoring projects include -
Anchor for Malayalam Film Reviews and Box Office Reports for Idea Popcorn Street since 2015
Co-host of a television series titled “Amchi Mumbai” on Kairali TV
Host of a music concert starring Mithoon, the famous music director and singer, Arijit Singh, Roop Kumar Rathod, Palak, Mohammad Irfan, in June 2014 in Muscat
Hosted the three-day India Fest in Abu Dhabi in December 2014
Hosted a show of differently abled artists in Muscat in September 2014
Hosted “Dance For National Unity” show which included performances of Manju Warrier, Malayalam film actress and Gracy Singh, Bollywood actress
Hosted "Yeh Shaam Mastaani...", a musical show on the 86th Birthday celebration of Kishore Kumar with singers Amit Kumar, Shri Babul Supriyo, Shailaja Subramanian, Kavita Paudwal and Siddhant Bhosle in August 2015, Shanmukhnanda Hall, Mumbai
Anchored the Mathrubhumi-Goodwin Jewellers Kaikottikali Pookalam Contest 2015 in Mumbai
Anchored the MS Vishwanathan Night - Hridayaragam in Mumbai in September 2015 that had performances from eminent playback singer Biju Narayanan, comedians Reji and Ajish and Guiness Pakru among others
Hosted inauguration of Charm's Group megastore Hazel at Kalyan in September 2015 attended by three reigning Miss Indias Aditi Arya, Aafreen Vaz, and Vartika Singh along with other dignitaries
Hosted Prince Vaidyan's promoted Kashmir to Kerala Social Foundation Gala Awards Night 2016, 2017 & 2018 in Mumbai attended by Indian dignitaries including Farooq Abdullah, Vivek Oberoi, Maharaja of Udaipur, Sandeep Thakur
Hosted The Nair Welfare Society's award function and mega-show 'Ganesham' by Soorya Hrishnamoorthy and Lakshmi Gopalaswamy in March 2017 Mumbai
Acting
Geeta has acted in films, TV serials, corporate films and advertisements.
Vellivelichatthil – In the Limelight. She played the second heroine in the film as John Brittas’ wife. Directed by Madhu Kaithapram and music by Deepankuran Bijibal the film was completely shot in Muscat.
Kandethal – The Revelation. She played the female protagonist. Directed by Sukumarji.
Juries Special Award - Communication through Social Media 2017 by the Public Relations Council of India for outstanding contribution to the Profession, Industry and Society
Indywood Media Excellence Award 2017 in the Professional Excellence category in her capacity as an online media social activist, motivational speaker, corporate trainer and films and television
Geetha Poduval has been a speaker at various forums and events. She was a speaker at TEDxYouth@JGIS She was recently invited as the Keynote speaker during the Daughters’ Day celebration of the Bengaluru chapters of PRCI and YCC. She has been conducting training programs in corporate houses and government organisations for many years. Some of her training and speaking topics include -
Women Leadership Program
Influencing Without Authority Program
Personal Presence Program
Women Safety at Workplace Program
Preventing Sexual Harassment and Awareness Program
