Leadership
Founder
A Bharata Natyam exponent, lyricist, music composer, Guru, researcher, choreographer and vocalist from Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Well known for her subtle Abhinaya and musical knowledge, Smita Mahajan is a well known name in the field of Indian classical dance.
Co-Founder
Co-founder of Artitude and a guiding force behind its mission to promote Indian classical performing arts, especially among the younger generation.
Dr. Vishwas Mahajan is best known as the co-founder & CEO of Whizible, an award-winning Project Services Automation (PSA) software platform. He has served as a member of the Global Board of Trustees of TIE and as a Member of the Board of Directors of MCCIA – Pune's Chamber of Commerce. He is also Chairman of the Startup and Incubation Committee of the chamber.
He co-founded his first venture, Compulink, in 1996 and took it public before eventually exiting from it in 2010. In addition to his work in the project management domain over the past several decades, mentoring entrepreneurship remains his passion. He has recently been awarded a doctorate for his research on mentoring startups and continues to mentor TIE Pune's flagship programme, Nurture. He is also an angel investor to early and growth-stage ventures in Pune and a founder member of TIE Pune Angels.
He also founded Artitude, an activity dedicated to promoting Indian classical performing arts, especially among the younger generation. He lives in Pune with his wife, Smita, who is a Bharat Natyam exponent. They have two daughters — one an economist and one a medical doctor, both currently in the USA.
About Artitude
Artitude was founded in 2012 by Smita Mahajan and Dr. Vishwas Mahajan with the vision of creating a meaningful platform for the promotion, preservation, and dissemination of India's rich artistic heritage. Rooted in the traditions of Indian classical dance and music, the organisation has grown into a respected cultural institution that combines artistic excellence with education, innovation, and community engagement.
Over the years, Artitude has worked with artists, educators, students, and audiences to foster a deeper appreciation of Indian performing arts while encouraging the next generation to engage with these traditions in meaningful and contemporary ways.
To promote, preserve, and disseminate India's classical performing arts by integrating artistic excellence with education, cultural awareness, and meaningful community engagement.
To make Indian classical arts more accessible to learners and audiences of all ages, nurture young artists, strengthen the presence of classical arts in educational institutions, and build sustainable platforms that encourage lifelong appreciation of India's cultural heritage.
Preservation, Education, Excellence, Innovation, Inclusivity, and Cultural Responsibility.
Artitude designs dance curricula, organises competitions, conducts workshops and lecture demonstrations, hosts festivals and symposiums, mentors emerging artists, and encourages dialogue between practitioners, educators, scholars, and audiences.
Artitude serves the arts by creating opportunities for learning, performance, research, collaboration, and cultural exchange. Through educational programmes, festivals, competitions, and innovative productions, the organisation helps preserve India's classical traditions while ensuring they remain relevant and accessible in today's world.
Looking Ahead
Over the years, Artitude has earned recognition for artistic excellence, educational outreach, and innovative programming. Through its activities, the organisation has nurtured young talent, encouraged meaningful engagement with the performing arts, and contributed to the wider appreciation of India's classical traditions.
As it moves forward, Artitude remains committed to expanding its outreach across diverse sections of society by creating inclusive, accessible, and inspiring platforms that celebrate the timeless values and enduring relevance of Indian arts.
