Dr. Sundararaman Chintamani
Reinvention Catalyst | 2x DTM | Author | Speaker | Trainer
I am a jack of all trades and a master of few things — and I am happy about it. Life is too short to do just one thing.
Reinvention Catalyst | 2x DTM | Author | Speaker | Trainer
I am a jack of all trades and a master of few things — and I am happy about it. Life is too short to do just one thing.
The Technical Arm
Dr. Sundararaman Chintamani is the CEO and Founder of Suraja Technologies, the technical arm of his ventures. From Suraja Technologies, many technology solutions are offered, specifically leveraging AI technology. Suraja Technologies actively participates in hackathons and continuously builds innovative technical assets.
An AI-powered chemical engineering educational platform covering 219 equipment types. Designed to help students and professionals understand chemical processes, equipment specifications, and operational parameters. Pitched to the Indian Chemical Council for Phase 2 funding.
View ChemBuddy Flyer (PDF) →A real-time monitoring and analytics solution for chemical industry operations. Provides insights into process efficiency, safety parameters, and predictive maintenance alerts using AI-driven data analysis.
View ChemPulse Flyer (PDF) →An AI-based assessment tool that evaluates an individual's or organization's readiness for reinvention in the AI era. Provides personalized insights and recommendations based on multiple dimensions of adaptability and growth mindset.
Take RMQ Assessment →An AI-powered audience engagement platform for trainers, speakers, and facilitators. Successfully debuted at Indian Bank's IMAGE Training College with 25 senior managers. Features real-time polling, Q&A, and interactive session management.
View PrestoZ Flyer (PDF) →Consultancy & Advisory Services
Dr. Sundararaman Chintamani is also the Founder and CEO of Jignyashika Consulting, from where consultancy projects are executed. In many instances, the artefacts developed at Jignyashika become valuable inputs for Suraja Technologies, creating a synergistic relationship between advisory and technology development.
As a Certified Industry 4.0 Assessor (certified by TUV SUD and CII), Sundararaman executes digital transformation consultancy projects. In recent times, he offers specialized consultancy as a Reinvention Catalyst in the AI Era, helping professionals and organizations navigate technological disruption.
Client: Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL)
Offered consultancy for this public sector petroleum refinery, assisting in establishing their Knowledge Café — an intranet portal featuring oil and gas specific videos and whitepapers for knowledge management.
Read More on LinkedIn →
Client: Chem Point, USA (Multi-million $ B2B, Chemicals Sector)
Offered digital marketing consultancy through an India-based process software company, helping define the digital transformation strategy for this major chemicals sector player.
Client: Jaaji Technology, India
Offered digital marketing consultancy for this Indian company specializing in Industry 4.0 solutions, helping them establish market presence and reach target audiences.
Client: Accenture (Energy Vertical)
Delivered domain training sessions on the overview of Petroleum Downstream Operations and Design Thinking for the associates of the energy vertical of Accenture.
Domain: Petroleum Refining Operations
Conceptualized a dynamic simulation model for Refinery Tankfarm operations and developed the Function Design Specifications. Also conducted functional testing of the model.
Keynotes & Conference Speaking
Dr. Sundararaman Chintamani is a keynote speaker for several conferences and annual business events. He is the founding member of Professional Speakers Association of India (PSAI) since 2019 and served as the Charter President of the Chennai Chapter in the same year.
With a unique blend of technical expertise and storytelling prowess, Sundararaman delivers engaging presentations that resonate with diverse audiences — from corporate executives to engineering professionals to banking leaders. His talks are known for practical insights, memorable anecdotes, and actionable frameworks that attendees can implement immediately.
18 Years | 2x Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM)
Dr. Sundararaman Chintamani has been a Toastmaster for the past 18 years. He is the President of Meraki, the only Advanced Toastmasters Club of District 120. He has achieved the prestigious Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) title twice — once through the traditional path and again through the current Pathways program.
Sundararaman is a much sought-after educational speaker amongst Toastmasters clubs and has been a friendly mentor for several clubs as well as individual members, nurturing the next generation of speakers and leaders.
2x DTM — One of the few Toastmasters to achieve Distinguished Toastmaster through both the Traditional and Pathways programs
Because Laughter is Serious Business
Dr. Sundararaman Chintamani firmly believes that humor is a vital ingredient in public speaking and an essential tool for business leaders. A well-timed joke or a witty observation can transform a presentation, break barriers, and make messages memorable.
Walking the talk, Sundararaman regularly participates in Toastmasters Humorous Speech Contests, progressing from club level all the way to division level — proving that making people laugh is both an art and a skill worth honing.
Sundararaman publishes a popular LinkedIn newsletter exploring the intersection of humor and professional success. With 20 editions published and growing, it has attracted 2,700+ subscribers who appreciate his unique take on why humor matters in the workplace.
Subscribe to the Newsletter →Empowering Professionals Since 2019
Dr. Sundararaman Chintamani has been a regular corporate trainer since 2019. He is empaneled with the Madras Management Association (MMA) as an official trainer, conducting day-long workshops either at MMA premises or at client locations on behalf of MMA.
He has also been associated with Indian Bank Management Academy for Growth & Excellence (IMAGE) as a regular faculty, training senior bank executives on Agile Leadership, Personal Branding, Communication Skills, and Business Storytelling.
In recent times, Sundararaman has expanded his reach to the MSME sector, training founders and entrepreneurs through Poornatha, an initiative organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
Visiting Faculty & Curriculum Developer
Dr. Sundararaman Chintamani serves as a regular trainer for prestigious academic institutions, delivering specialized sessions on Industry 4.0 and Design Thinking. His unique ability to bridge industry experience with academic rigor makes him a sought-after faculty member across engineering and management programs.
Served as faculty for the B.S. (Process Engineering) Program, delivering classes on Petroleum Refining to working professionals under this joint academic initiative.
Taught "Enterprise Asset Management" for School of Business Management students at Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University.
Conceptualized and created this simulation suite based on Anna University syllabus. Now deployed in 100+ academic institutions across India, including Anna University's multiple engineering departments and through the Naan Mudhalvan state-wide skill development initiative.
Developed 16 e-learning modules on Petroleum Refining under the Electronic Multimedia Research Centre (EMRC), Anna University.
Delivered specialized sessions on Industry 4.0 at Applied Science & Technology (Anna University) and Kongu Engineering College. Also conducted sessions on Process Control Automation & Process Safety at A.C. College of Technology.
40+ Years of Knowledge Sharing
With 40+ years of work experience, Dr. Sundararaman Chintamani is passionate about knowledge sharing and actively participates in industry events. He has presented papers at numerous seminars and conferences, and regularly blogs on the role of digital technologies in the oil and gas industry.
Society of Petroleum Engineering – Driving Data to Decisions, Bangalore
Presented a paper addressing the critical cybersecurity challenges facing India's oil and gas sector.
Doctoral Colloquium, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun
Presented research findings on cybersecurity frameworks for the energy sector.
Petrotech, New Delhi – Poster Session
Participated in the poster session highlighting the importance of data standardization in the industry.
Energy Technology Forum – FICCI, Mumbai
Presented a paper on information systems architecture for petroleum refining operations.
ICEIM Conclave, School of Petroleum Management (SPM), PDPU, Gandhinagar
Moderated a panel discussion on India's energy future and the role of hydrocarbons.
International Conference, School of Business Management, SRM University
Moderated a panel exploring the intersection of data science and business strategy.
New Delhi
Presented a paper on emerging trends in India's oil, gas, and renewable energy landscape.
Sundararaman leverages LinkedIn Newsletters to share thought-provoking insights on multiple topics. With his lucid writing style and practical approach, the subscriber count for each newsletter continues to grow every week.
2,700+
What is Your Humor Quotient
subscribers
2,300+
Design Thinking for Speaking
subscribers
2,300+
Reinvention in the AI Era
subscribers
2,000+
Cybersecurity 101
subscribers
1,000+
Business Storytelling
subscribers
10,500+ Total Newsletter Subscribers
Navigating the AI Era
Dr. Sundararaman Chintamani strongly believes that reinvention is vital — for individuals and organizations alike — as AI continues to drive dramatic paradigm shifts across industries. In a world where change is the only constant, the ability to reinvent oneself is no longer optional; it's essential for survival and success.
Drawing from his own journey of eight reinventions spanning four decades, Sundararaman guides professionals and businesses through the complexities of transformation in the AI era.
A dedicated LinkedIn newsletter exploring the intersection of professional reinvention and artificial intelligence. With 10 issues published and 2,300+ subscribers, the newsletter offers practical insights, frameworks, and inspiration for those ready to embrace change.
Subscribe to the Newsletter →Human-Centered Innovation
Design Thinking is one of Sundararaman's signature topics. His passion for this human-centered approach to problem-solving began during his tenure at Tech Mahindra, where he served as an internal trainer and conducted nearly 10 batches of Design Thinking workshops.
Today, he continues to spread the Design Thinking philosophy across corporate and academic settings, helping teams unlock creativity, empathize with users, and develop innovative solutions.
Award-Winning Innovator
Innovation has been a constant thread throughout Sundararaman's career. From the very beginning of his professional journey at Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL), he started winning awards under the company's Suggestion Scheme — demonstrating an early knack for identifying improvements and contributing meaningful ideas.
This tradition continued at Tech Mahindra, where he was recognized under the Idea Junction program for his innovative contributions. Whether it's process improvements, technology solutions, or creative problem-solving, Sundararaman has consistently proven that good ideas can come from anywhere — if you're curious enough to look.
Multiple awards for process improvement ideas during his 15-year tenure in petroleum refining.
Recognized for innovative contributions in the IT consulting space.
Quiz Master & Participant
Dr. Sundararaman Chintamani's love for knowledge extends naturally into the world of quizzing — both as an enthusiastic participant and as a quiz master who designs and hosts engaging quiz events across arts, technology, and business domains.
A proud member of the Quiz Foundation of India (QFI), Sundararaman actively attends its quiz programs and participates in most quiz events across Chennai. His curiosity and breadth of knowledge make him a formidable presence in quiz circles.
At the Toastmasters District 120 Centennial Celebration in November 2024, Sundararaman (along with partner Venkatasesnan Y from Nebiey Toastmasters Club) secured the Quiz Runners-Up position — a testament to his wide-ranging knowledge.
Toastmasters District 120 Centennial Quiz | November 2024 | Quiz Runners-Up
In December 2011, Sundararaman's team won the First Prize at the inaugural Carnatech 2011 Music Quiz held at the prestigious Music Academy, Chennai. The quiz was conducted by Sriranjani Santhanagopalan, and the team had the privilege of receiving the prize from legendary vocalist Sri. Neyveli Santhanagopalan.
Carnatech 2011 Music Quiz | December 2011 | Music Academy, Chennai | First Prize
Sundararaman has established himself as a go-to quiz master for thematic quizzes spanning arts, culture, music, and technology.
Fueled by his passion for Indian arts — Carnatic music and dance — Sundararaman curated this exclusive performing arts quiz for Aalaap. He successfully hosted A2Q2 for 5 consecutive years (2013-2017) until the pandemic, with the 4th edition held at 136.1 Yoga Studio, TTK Road, Chennai.
Forum: Aalaap | Venue: Chennai | Theme: Performing Arts
On August 22, 2025, Sundararaman conducted a Carnatic Music Quiz (கர்நாடக சங்கீத குவிஸ்!) for the members of the Madhyamar FB Group — a vibrant online community of Carnatic music enthusiasts. The virtual quiz brought together rasikas to test their knowledge of classical music.
Forum: Madhyamar FB Group | Venue: Virtual | Theme: Carnatic Music
Sundararaman conducted an arts and music quiz for the Natyakala Conference at the prestigious Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, further establishing himself as the preferred quiz master for cultural events in Chennai.
Forum: Natyakala Conference | Venue: Sri Krishna Gana Sabha, Chennai | Theme: Arts & Dance
Sundararaman conducts the Mylapore Quiz every January during the Mylapore Festival, organized by Mylapore Times and Sundaram Finance. This annual quiz celebrates the rich heritage, history, and culture of Mylapore — one of Chennai's most historic neighborhoods.
Forum: Mylapore Times & Sundaram Finance | Venue: Mylapore, Chennai | Theme: Heritage & Culture
At the ISACA Chennai Chapter Annual Conference 2023 themed "Technology Sprints - Is Security Agile?", Sundararaman conducted a quiz program on cybersecurity and technology. Held on September 8-9, 2023 at Le Royal Meridien, Guindy, Chennai, this marked his return to the stage as a quiz master after a long hiatus. Gratitude to Vaidyanathan Chandramouli for the opportunity.
Forum: ISACA Chennai Chapter | Venue: Le Royal Meridien, Chennai | Theme: Cybersecurity & Technology
With a knack for curating fascinating business facts and anecdotes, Sundararaman evolved into a sought-after business quiz master at academic institutions.
On February 17, 2023, Sundararaman was invited by the 29th Aimers batch to conduct Busiconz'23 — an exciting business quiz at Alagappa Institute of Management, Alagappa University, Karaikudi. The quiz, themed "Come | Compete | Conquer", engaged management students with the intriguing world of commerce and industry.
Forum: Alagappa Institute of Management | Venue: St.CT.L.PL Auditorium, Karaikudi | Theme: Business & Management
In December 2019, Sundararaman served as the Quiz Master for an inter-collegiate quiz at JBAS College for Women (formerly SET College for Women), Chennai. The event was organized in collaboration with Dr. Mallar Raj, HOD, Department of English.
Forum: JBAS College for Women | Venue: Chennai | Theme: General & Business
Celebrating Carnatic Music
Dr. Sundararaman Chintamani's artistic soul finds its deepest expression in Carnatic music. Though not formally trained, his passion for this classical art form has driven him to contribute meaningfully — as a connoisseur, author, digital creator, and content producer.
A devoted rasika of Carnatic music since his teenage years, Sundararaman attends music concerts across the city during the Chennai Music Season. He has been contributing to Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha for their Sangeeth Sarathy newsletter every year, writing review articles on music concerts and lecdems.
For this dedication, he was honored with the prestigious "Rasika Shreshta" Award by GCMA. Receiving the award from mridangam maestro Sri T.V. Gopalakrishnan at Global Margazhi Fest 2025 was a surreal and humbling moment.
In 2005, Sundararaman released RagaChintamani — a unique music manual that maps classical ragas used in Tamil film songs. Over 1,800 songs are classified under 160 ragas, with detailed arohanam, avarohanam, and special characteristics for each raga — creating an invaluable bridge between classical and popular music.
The book has sold 1,500+ copies and has been recommended by Annamalai University as a reference book for its BA Music course.
RagaChintamani was released at Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan Mini Hall, Mylapore, Chennai. Kalaimaamani Mrs. Revathy Krishna (Veena artist) officially released the book, while Mr. T.S. Ranganathan of SUN TV received the first copy.
Actor Kamal Haasan browsed through the book at Book Point auditorium in Chennai. He asked several questions about the basics of Carnatic music and expressed interest in studying it further.
RagaChintamani is part of the prestigious Roja Muthiah Research Library collection, acknowledging its value as a reference work for Tamil music research.
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Sundararaman developed KarnatikBuzz.com — a comprehensive website cataloging all musical events of the Chennai December Music Season. The uniquely user-friendly platform allows filtering by date, artist, sabha, venue, and area.
During the 2025 music season, KarnatikBuzz became the go-to ready reckoner for rasikas, attracting 18,000+ visitors in just 2 weeks.
Visit KarnatikBuzz.com →Sundararaman created a dedicated YouTube channel titled "Carnatic Music for Common Man" to disseminate the intricate details of this classical art form to everyday listeners, using Tamil as the medium.
The channel has garnered 1,000+ subscribers who appreciate his accessible approach to demystifying Carnatic music.
Subscribe on YouTube →Sundararaman has been passionate about water coloring since childhood. This creative pursuit has remained a constant source of joy throughout his life. Many of his water color paintings are framed and proudly decorate his home — a personal gallery celebrating his artistic side.
Ashokamithran
Sir M. Visvesvaraya
Ralph C. Smedley
Sengottai Bhagavathar
Sriram Parasuram
An avid reader of Tamil literature, Sundararaman also reviews works by his favorite authors including Sujatha, Ashokamitran, and Indira Parthasarathy. His YouTube channel "Noolvi" (நூல்வி) — a shorter form of Nool Vimarsanam (Book Review) — shares his literary insights with fellow bibliophiles.
Subscribe to Noolvi →Apart from video reviews, Sundararaman has also written reviews of several Tamil books on his blogs. Some of the books reviewed:
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Sundararaman has a deep passion for collecting coins and currencies. His carefully curated collection spans 15 countries — each piece a window into different cultures, histories, and economies. A hobby that combines history, geography, and art in the most tangible way.
Giving Back to Society
Dr. Sundararaman Chintamani believes in using his skills and passion to contribute meaningfully to society — whether through civic activism, preserving heritage through documentaries, or empowering the next generation.
Sundararaman is keen on ensuring that public money is properly spent by government agencies. A firm believer in transparency and accountability, he has filed several RTI petitions to seek clarity on matters of public interest — exercising his civic duty to hold institutions accountable.
In the Sholinganallur ELCOT IT campus, more than 3 major IT companies (HCL, Wipro, Mahindra Satyam, and now Cognizant) employ around 1,000 people who commute daily by car. During peak hours, employees spend more than 10-20 minutes at the Sholinganallur signal both morning and evening.
The ELCOT campus has a rear gate connecting to OMR that is deliberately kept closed, citing toll revenue concerns. Sundararaman calculated that opening this gate would save:
Sundararaman has produced documentaries that celebrate and preserve Chennai's rich heritage:
The "OK Google" Project by Sundararaman is an initiative to use Voice Assisted Smart Speakers for school children. In March 2019, Sundararaman experimented by installing a "Google Home Mini" gadget at one of the Corporation schools in Chennai.
The results were remarkable — the average General Knowledge score of students before implementation was 35.8%. After installation and guidance, the average score increased to 65.8% in just 3 weeks — a 30% improvement without using computers or laptops!
To implement this idea across the state, Sundararaman handed over a proposal to the Honorable Education Minister of Tamil Nadu, Mr. K.A. Sengottaiyan on June 13, 2019.
For the last few years, our family has taken a resolution to plant a couple of trees on important milestones such as Birthdays or Wedding Anniversaries. A simple yet meaningful way to give back to nature and create a lasting legacy for future generations.
As an Idea Contributor, Sundararaman spoke at Madras Week 2013, sharing innovative ideas and contributing to the celebration of Chennai's rich heritage and culture.
Watch on YouTube →As a Social Activist, Sundararaman has raised many civic complaints to address issues affecting the community. A firm believer in civic responsibility, he actively engages with authorities to ensure better public services and infrastructure for citizens.
Miscellaneous Interests
| 2020 | University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun | PhD (Developing a Cybersecurity Mandate for Indian Oil and Gas Industry) |
| 1993 | Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani | MS (Technological Operations) |
| 1990 | Institution of Engineers, Kolkata | AMIE (Chemical Engineering) |
| 1982 | Institute of Chemical Technology, Taramani, Chennai | Diploma (Chemical Technology) |
| Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, Ministry of Corporate Affairs | Certified Independent Director |
| National Federation of NLP, USA | Basic Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) |
| SSL, BHSP & U21 Global | Certified Global Business Leader |
| TUV SUD & Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) | Certified Industry 4.0 Assessor |
A curated list of books that have inspired and influenced Sundararaman's thinking and personal growth. These are highly recommended reads for anyone seeking knowledge and wisdom.
Keynotes · Corporate Training · Workshops · Collaboration
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