Jalpa H Vithalani: Enriching Business and Artistic Sensibilities

Creating a legacy of success comes naturally to Jalpa H Vithalani, a woman skilled in the art of innovation and forward-thinking business decisions. Steering every opportunity to its fullest potential, Jalpa weaves a fine tapestry of achievements sewn together in a soulful journey of inspired action with dedicated perseverance.

Taking a cue from her hardworking, ethical and visionary parents, Jalpa Vithalani started her glorious career in Global Aviation Services—the aviation arm of The Global Group’s diverse business holdings founded 45 years ago by her father. Plunging herself into the business, she quickly struck deep roots in the aviation industry and a passion for travel. Jalpa’s business acumen found her taking an initiative in one of the logistics businesses headed by The Global Group.

Founded in 2002 as a joint venture with Jupiter Global Ltd., a Hong-Kong based Japan Airlines Subsidiary affiliated with Mitsubishi Logistics Corporation, JTB Jupiter Express Services Pvt. Ltd. is a reputed company that engages in courier consolidation, air freight forwarding and road feeder services. With her guidance, the company has become a country leader and has been recognized for excellent performance by Emirates, Air India and Japan Airlines, among many others. As a top courier consolidation and freight forwarding agent in India, JTB Jupiter Express Services expanded pan-India, with offices in 10 major cities— Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Kochi, Calicut and Pune.

Today, JTB Jupiter Express Services is a provider of total logistics solutions that caters to celebrated clientele like DHL, FedEx, UPS, Aramex and DTDC who are offered international courier consolidation services; airlines like Emirates, SriLankan Airlines, Kuwait Airways and Saudia (formerly known as Saudi Arabian Airlines) are extended road feeder services, while the export and import freight forwarding division takes care of customs clearances for both air and sea passage as well.

Jalpa takes pride in the company’s success as it is not only a business that is lucrative, but also one that is known for a seamless network of dedicated professionals who work towards fulfilling an integrated vision of well-planned and sustainable growth, based on excellent relationships, ethics and satisfied customers.

With a changed approach and adherence to safety health norms, JTB Jupiter Express has actually expanded operations and achieved new milestones. A sure win is the launch and success of the Pune branch in December 2020. The Ahmedabad branch, set up in 2018, has seen a considerable rise in business in these times. Their future plans include opening one more arm in North India in 2021. JTB’s most recent accolades include Emirates appreciation award in Bengaluru for outstanding performance in 2020-21.

Other than her role in making sure JTB Jupiter Express Services runs on autopilot, she is constantly engaged in nurturing her passion project, Cosmic Heart Gallery. Founded in 2012, it is a translation of her love for all things artistic. Carved into the thriving heart of South Mumbai, the gallery, since inception has been a space that welcomes connoisseurs as well as novices seeking to indulge in the tasteful and the aesthetic.

Cosmic Heart Gallery brings together the artists’ expression, thoughtful curation and most of all a reverence for creativity to result in exquisite art and unique experiences for its patrons. With over 200 events and exhibitions, the space prides itself in showcasing the works of the new, the upcoming and the veterans in a vast range of art forms like music, film, art and photography.

As founder and head curator, Jalpa is completely in tune with her creative sensibilities and taps into them to create exhibitions that are relatable, comforting and transportive. She finds that versatility, unheard of techniques and sensory stimulation come together to ignite the art lover in every person.

Each exhibition is an all-immersive experience that feeds her belief in a world without borders. The Gallery has partnered with several organizations on the exchange of art and culture, which it considers as the foundation of peaceful co-existence.

A collaboration with the Consulate General of Argentina to bring artists like Pablo Ramirez Arnol and Gerardo Korn resulted in beautiful shows like ‘Walking India’ and ‘Behind the Scenes ~ Buenos Aires’ that highlight the importance of mingling world cultures. A recent virtual exhibition ‘Cars in the Night- Buenos Aires’ transports you to the archaeological neighbourhoods of the city showcasing vehicular marvels from the 1960s and 1970s. The photographs were a unique parallel to the way individuals parked themselves at home during the Covid pandemic.

An unmistakable event was the worldwide premiere of the English counterpart of the documentary ‘A Million Steps for Love’ by Sandra Korse that marked the Gallery’s 8th birthday. Jalpa curated an audio-visual virtual exhibition as an ode to the meaningful messages captured by Sandra as she documented the pilgrimage of 13 Dutch women as they walked from Jericho to Jerusalem via the West Bank of Palestine, all in the name of love.

Showcasing the renowned works of the painter prince, Raja Ravi Varma, was an honour indeed. The exhibition was a collaboration between the creators of the biopic, Rang Rasiya (Colours of Passion) on the artist that democratized the distribution of art in the country. The Gallery adorned its walls with the oleographs framed in hundred-year-old teak frames and celebrated Indian culture by curating an experience that saw graceful dance performances depicting Mahalaxmi Ashtakam, Dattatraya Abhang and Shiva Tandav that brought the artwork to life.

With an aim to raise awareness for wildlife conservation as well as support 500 local artists associated with the Ranthambore School of Art, the Gallery and princess Diya Kumari have an upcoming project, Eye of the Tiger, that will bring the majestic beauty of the jungle cat to the fore. A symbol of primal instincts, focus, vision and spontaneity, the exhibition will be an absolute marvel.

A mystical night unfolded to celebrate 100 years of the Haji Ali Dargah Trust. The courtyard of the holy shrine welcomed an exhibition of art for the first time ever and 400 guests. Cosmic Heart Gallery curated an evening featuring a performance of devotional music by the Tahir Faridi Sufi Qawwali Ensemble (the only non-Asian Sufi Ensemble in the world) that resulted in the authentic continuation of the ancient tradition of Sufi music. In addition, a collection of ‘Moalla Calligraphy’ by Kaveh Afraie from Iran was presented.

International art events like, Art Bahrain Across Borders, Bahrain’s international art fair, was also a noteworthy milestone in the Gallery’s journey. The fair was held under the patronage of Her Royal Highness, Princess Sabeeka Al Khalifa. As one of the 16 prominent galleries from around the world, Cosmic Heart Gallery presented two talented Indian artists—Natasha Lalla and Shailan Parker—showcasing contemporary, abstract art that celebrates the contrast of both monochromatic and polychromatic techniques.

From collaboration with the Iran Culture House, Consulate General of Argentina, JJ School of Art, BPW International and others, the Gallery has become a platform for talent that is continuously striving to expand the world of art and its possibilities.

From guiding a business to reach unprecedented heights to carving a space full of artistic delights, Jalpa has slowly and steadily built a career that exudes the warm glow of success. Her mantra is to follow her instinct. Jalpa is quick to recognize the various opportunities that a company faces, act on them and leverage them. Innovation and inspired action are imbued in all her projects, be it art or aviation. Her focus and pursuit include nurturing business relationships, which she feels has added to her wealth quotient in life.