Producers

Muthiah Jeyaraj, the son of Estate Owner Muniyandi Thevar Muthiah from Wategama, is a theatre and film actor and a Sri Lankan Tamil film producer and creator of the 1976 film Kaathirupane Unnakaga. He has also presented in political meetings in the 1970s. After the riots in Sri Lanka, he migrated first to Madras and then to Australia, where he, along with his wife Shaantha Jeyaraj, played a significant role in developing the Tamil diaspora community in the arts. Together, they also ran a school called Palkalkaikkalanjiyem. Later, Muthiah Jeyaraj owned a Sri Lankan Tamil restaurant and pursued his passion for acting in several short films and music videos directed by Ghirija Jayarraj. His life story inspired the music video Ilamei, which was a concept video for a feature film. The music video was nominated for Best Director at the Paris Underground Film Festival. In addition to his film work, he produced the immersive theatre show Sem Mann and continues to support and aid other artistic projects.

Shaantha Jeyaraj is a highly influential figure in the Tamil community, renowned for her significant contributions to the culinary arts, Tamil culture, and the performing arts. In the 1980s, she became a celebrity culinary artist in Chennai, where she made history as the first Sri Lankan Tamil woman to be featured on Doordarshan, India’s national television network. From 2006 onward, she hosted over 600 episodes of cooking and cake-making shows on network television, establishing herself as a beloved personality. In addition to her television career, Shaantha taught over 4,000 students across Tamil Nadu, offering courses in cake decorating, international cooking, flower arrangement, bridal styling, and more, creating an academy that inspired and nurtured culinary talent.

Beyond her culinary work, Shaantha has played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting Tamil culture. She migrated to Australia, where she continued her cultural advocacy by supporting Tamil asylum seekers through her work as an interpreter, helping them navigate legal and social systems. She founded Palkalaikkalanjiyem (The Academy of Fine Arts and Home Economics) in Australia, where she has taught Tamil arts, organized cultural events, and nurtured young talent through performances like Kalaicharam and Kalai Vizha, which celebrate Tamil heritage.

In addition to her educational and community contributions, Shaantha has also made significant strides in the world of theatre and dance. As a producer and executive producer at Shastram, she has been heavily involved in several immersive theatre productions, including Naatya Vandhanam (2005), Yaathra (2006), and most recently, Sem Mann. These productions have further solidified her impact on the cultural landscape, bringing Tamil arts to new audiences and preserving traditional forms in innovative ways. Throughout her journey, Shaantha has also mentored countless young artists, guiding them in their theatre and dance careers.

In her written work, Shaantha has authored several books, including Naveena Murai Cakuhal and Shantha’s Samaiyal, and has contributed extensively to Tamil magazines and newspapers. As a program producer and presenter for Tamil radio stations worldwide, she continues to promote Tamil culture, language, and music. Shaantha Jeyaraj’s legacy as a culinary artist, educator, cultural advocate, and theatre producer is a testament to her unwavering dedication to the Tamil community both in Australia and globally.

Gopi Jeyarraj is an entrepreneur and creative force in the Australian arts, entertainment, and digital sectors. He is the founder of several successful ventures, each contributing to different facets of the creative and entertainment industries. As the founder of Bootnox, a boutique events management business, Gopi has been delivering unique entertainment and lifestyle experiences since 2018. He is also a director of Hybreed Pty Ltd, founded by Ghirija Jayarraj  an arts and entertainment company focused on developing cross-cultural film, television, and theatre projects, which has been running since 2011.

In addition to his work in events and entertainment, Gopi is the founder of Arts Kandy, a cross-platform content studio established in 2020, where he oversees the development of intellectual properties across comic books, animation, film, digital media, and gaming. This venture has allowed him to push the boundaries of creative storytelling, merging various forms of media to create innovative content.

Gopi's entrepreneurial journey also includes being a co-founder of the Chicken & Beer Festival, a cultural celebration in Perth, and a key player in the music events and touring scene through his past venture, Fundamental Creative. With Fundamental Creative, he spent nearly two decades orchestrating music events and tours, further solidifying his reputation in the entertainment industry.

His career also spans digital strategy and marketing, having worked as a growth strategist with Crosscut Media, where he focused on driving business growth through digital marketing strategies. Gopi has also served in senior roles such as Head of Marketing at ussportstickets.com and Director of Sales & Marketing at Ansko's Fine Health Foods, a celebrity-backed Australian natural food company. He is currently developing a nedw venture in the health and wellness space.

Through his diverse ventures, Gopi Jeyarraj has continually demonstrated his ability to innovate, lead, and influence multiple industries, from entertainment and events management to digital marketing and creative content development. His entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence have made him a recognised figure in the Australian business and creative landscape.

He has been a producer in many of Shastram's and Hybreed's productions including Yaathra, Touch, Ilamei and recently  Executive Producer in Sem Mann.

Refer to Ghirija's bio