Every time a Mahindra Thar or an XUV700 commands attention on the road, it's the vision of Ramkripa Ananthan that drives their distinctive appeal. Joining Mahindra & Mahindra in 1997 as an interior designer, Ananthan steadily ascended to become the creative force behind some of India's most beloved sport utility vehicles.
Early Life and Education
Born with a keen eye for design and engineering, Ramkripa Ananthan completed her Mechanical Engineering degree from BITS Pilani in 1992. She further honed her skills by earning a master's in Industrial Design from IIT Bombay in 1997. Before her impactful tenure at Mahindra, Ananthan gained initial professional experience at Thermax. Her significant contributions to the automotive industry were later recognized when BITS Pilani honored her with the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2021.
A Transformative Era at Mahindra
Ananthan's career at Mahindra & Mahindra spanned over two decades, during which she rose through the ranks to become the Chief of Design for both the company's automotive and farm equipment divisions. Her leadership was pivotal in developing numerous popular models that redefined Mahindra's design language and market presence.
- Mahindra Thar: Ananthan led the teams responsible for both the original Thar and its highly successful second-generation model, launched in 2020, which masterfully blended rugged off-road capability with contemporary styling.
- XUV Series: Her influence is evident across the XUV lineup, including the XUV500 (launched 2011), XUV300, and the technologically advanced XUV700 (launched 2021), which integrated modern aesthetics with cutting-edge technology.
- Other Models: Ananthan also contributed significantly to the design of the Marazzo, TUV300, and KUV100 portfolios.
The Cheetah Inspiration Behind XUV500
One of Ananthan's most celebrated projects, the XUV500, drew its iconic design inspiration from the cheetah. Her team meticulously studied the animal's movements, strength, and appearance, translating its agility and muscular build into prominent wheel arches, a distinctive grille, a strong stance, and flowing body lines. This unique approach involved exploring diverse sources of inspiration, from martial arts legends like Bruce Lee to cinematic characters such as Russell Crowe's Gladiator, before settling on the cheetah.
Venturing Beyond Mahindra
In 2021, after more than twenty years of dedicated service, Ramkripa Ananthan departed from Mahindra to establish her own design consultancy, KRUX Studio. One of her notable early projects was Two2, an innovative electric micro-mobility vehicle concept showcased in 2022. Later that year, Ola Electric engaged KRUX Studio as a design consultancy partner. By August 2022, Ananthan officially joined Ola Electric as the Head of Design, where she now oversees design programs for their electric two-wheelers and upcoming four-wheeler initiatives, continuing to shape the future of automotive design in India.