Armed with degrees from BITS Pilani and IIT Bombay, Ananthan joined Mahindra & Mahindra in 1997 and rose to design leadership by 2005. She spearheaded styling efforts for major production models, including the cheetah-inspired XUV500, the second-generation Thar, and the XUV700. Following her tenure at Mahindra, she launched the bespoke consultancy KRUX Studio before taking the helm of Ola Electric's design operations.
Key points
Ananthan advanced from detailing vehicle interiors on early utility models to leading com…: Ananthan advanced from detailing vehicle interiors on early utility models to leading comprehensive design programs across multiple decades.
Her creative direction shaped major automotive successes, earning her the Distinguished A…: Her creative direction shaped major automotive successes, earning her the Distinguished Alumnus Award from BITS Pilani in 2021.
She currently serves as Head of Design at Ola Electric, overseeing both two-wheeler and u…: She currently serves as Head of Design at Ola Electric, overseeing both two-wheeler and upcoming four-wheeler vehicle initiatives.
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When you see a Mahindra Thar crossing a rocky terrain in the mountains or a Scorpio commanding attention on the highway or an XUV700 cutting through city traffic like a hero, you may not immediately think of the person behind their rough and tough design. Meet Ramkripa Ananthan, an automobile designer, who has played a significant role in shaping some of India's most prominent SUVs. The woman has earned a reputation for herself in a field traditionally dominated by men.
Meet Ramkripa AnanthanAnanthan always had a creative and analytical mind. She graduated as a mechanical engineer from BITS Pilani and pursued a master's degree in industrial design from the Industrial Design Centre (IDC), IIT Bombay, graduating in 1997.
In her own account on Ola Electric's website, she recalls moving between villages and towns because of her father's transferable job. Her childhood involved exploring rice fields, rivers, mountains and forests. These experiences eventually influenced her approach to designing vehicles.
According to Wikipedia,
Ananthan has led the teams on the designs for a number of Mahindra vehicles including:
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