"Award-winning director and photographer Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri [is] renowned for her iconic imagery and visionary storytelling" (Huffington Post). The Indian-British-Canadian artist and cultural anthropologist has created the image of some of the world's brightest stars and brands. Her multi-faceted collaborative approach produces cultural icons, films and images that move millions to action. Indrani is known for her ability to bring people together across the film, fashion, music, non-profit and corporate industries. She consistently develops projects that empower women, diversity and sustainability.
Indrani was born in Kolkata, India, to volunteers with Mother Teresa. As a teen she became an international model-actress, then co-founded Shakti Empowerment Education Foundation for women and children. Indrani received a scholarship to Princeton University, where she graduated with a Magna Cum Laude (High Honors) BA in Cultural Anthropology. While a student, her photography was discovered by David Bowie, who became a mentor and commissioned her first album cover, with former classical harpist Markus Klinko. Markus+Indrani became a highly influential photography duo; now she is known for her solo work.
A decade later Bowie launched Indrani's directorial career, commissioning her first major music video. Her films have won 18 awards including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Costume Design at the LA Independent Film Festival, 2 gold Lions at Cannes Festival of Creativity, and have screened at the Lincoln Center, the San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art, the Australian Center for the Moving Image, and the Pompidou Center Paris.
Her work has been in 25 exhibitions, including the National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian Institute, DC, and published in 22 books with "Icons" (Perseus Press) celebrated with an exhibition at the Lincoln Center. Indrani's work was the subject of a 6 hour documentary series "Double Exposure" on NBC's Bravo channel, featuring her shoots with Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian and Naomi Campbell, among others.
In addition to her extensive philanthropy work, Indrani was Special Advisor to the Global Millennium Development Foundation and Director of Relations at the World Film Forum at the UN; she directed top Bollywood stars for Girl Rising India promoting girls' empowerment, which has become central to the Government of India's campaign for women; and she continues to co-direct Shakti Empowerment Education SEEschool.org.
