Jitesh Maheshwari
Jitesh Maheshwari, founder of The Indian Art Fest, is dedicated to promoting Indian art and culture through contests, exhibitions, and creative platforms.
About the - Jitesh Maheshwari
Jitesh Maheshwari is an artist and professional website developer, best known as the founder of The Indian Art Fest, one of the largest online art contest platforms in India.
In 2018, he became a university champion in poster making, showcasing his creative talent at an early stage. Alongside his artistic journey, Jitesh pursued a career in web development, combining creativity with technology to build impactful digital platforms.
He pursued a B.A. at SV College, Mandvi, though he has not yet completed his degree. Earlier, he studied at Kotdi Mahadev Puri School (10th) and Layja Mota High School (12th). Jitesh was born in Moti Undoth village, Mandvi Taluka, Kutch, Gujarat (PIN 370450). His mother, Chanchalben Naran Maheshwari, works as an Anganwadi teacher, while his father, Naran Damji Maheshwari, is a farmer.
Since 2021, Jitesh has been leading The Indian Art Fest, providing a platform for emerging artists across India to participate in contests, showcase their talent, and celebrate the diversity of Indian art and culture.
Early Life & Education
Jitesh Maheshwari was born in Moti Undoth village, Mandvi Taluka, Kutch, Gujarat (PIN 370450). He began his schooling at Moti Undoth Primary School, where he studied up to Class 4. Later, he moved to Borol (PIN 388265) for Classes 5 and 6, staying near Desaipura village, the native place of his maternal grandfather.
He returned to his hometown for Classes 7 and 8, continuing his studies at Moti Undoth. For secondary education, he studied in different schools: Mandvi RK School (Class 9), Kotdi Mahadev Puri School (Class 10), and completed Higher Secondary (Class 11–12) from Mota Layja High School.
After schooling, Jitesh joined SV College, Mandvi to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree. During his final year, he actively participated in the Youth Festival at Kutch University, where he achieved first rank in Poster Making (2018). However, due to family responsibilities and a vision to pursue different goals, Jitesh has not yet completed his college degree.
Career as an Artist
Jitesh Maheshwari developed an interest in art from Class 5, gradually shaping his skills through practice and creativity. His passion for poster making became evident when he started participating in offline art contests from Class 11 onwards. Representing his school in multiple competitions, he consistently ranked in the top three positions.
Focused mainly on poster making, Jitesh earned recognition at the Kutch level, securing second place twice. However, it was during his final year of college that he set a personal goal—to achieve the first rank before completing his studies. With dedication and effort, he succeeded, finally winning the first rank in Poster Making at Kutch University.
Following this milestone, Jitesh took his art to the inter-university level competitions, where he showcased his talent beyond his region. Although he did not secure a rank at that stage, his journey reflected persistence, growth, and a deep commitment to artistic expression.
Website Development Career
Jitesh Maheshwari did not pursue any formal education or professional course in website development. However, his vision was always clear—to build a strong platform for artists. Coming from a middle-class family, financial limitations made it difficult to hire professionals for website development. For a long time, Jitesh waited for the day when circumstances would improve, allowing him to invest in his dream.
His turning point came through old connections from the Youth Festival, where he met Laxit Patel, an artist who was also a website developer. Laxit guided Jitesh and introduced him to the basics of web development, which sparked a new direction in his journey.
In 2021, Jitesh also came into contact with another Youth Festival acquaintance, Sahil Singh, who owned a small digital agency. Jitesh joined the agency as a beginner, managing tasks related to social media marketing, particularly Instagram, with a modest salary of ₹3000 per month. The agency was small, consisting of just two people, but it provided him with the environment to learn and grow.
At that time, Jitesh did not own a laptop. However, with access to Sahil’s computer system, he immersed himself in learning website development skills more seriously. This hands-on experience helped him transform into a professional website developer.
Today, Jitesh primarily focuses on developing and maintaining his own projects, especially The Indian Art Fest. Though paths eventually diverged with his early mentors and colleagues, the knowledge and foundation he gained during this period remain central to his career.
The Indian Art Fest (Founder Journey)
The idea of The Indian Art Fest was born out of Jitesh Maheshwari’s personal experiences as an artist. During his student years, he often traveled long distances to participate in art contests, sometimes facing difficulties due to accessibility and opportunities. These challenges shaped his vision of creating a platform where artists could participate from anywhere in the world without barriers.
In 2021, Jitesh laid the foundation of The Indian Art Fest as a fully online initiative. His aim was to provide an equal and fair opportunity for students, hobbyists, and professionals to showcase their creativity. A key principle of the platform was inclusivity—no registration fee, transparent evaluation, and recognition for every participant.
Under his leadership, The Indian Art Fest quickly grew into one of the largest online art contest platforms in India. It has become a trusted space for artists to share their work, gain exposure, and receive encouragement through e-certificates, awards, and digital showcases.
Jitesh’s vision for The Indian Art Fest continues to emphasize accessibility, fairness, and inspiration, ensuring that creativity can flourish regardless of location, background, or resources.
Achievements & Recognition
Jitesh Maheshwari has consistently excelled in district-level art contests, securing a place in the top three positions on multiple occasions.
At the Youth Festival organized by Kutch University, he achieved:
Second Rank in Poster Making for two consecutive years.
First Rank in Poster Making in his final year, marking a milestone in his artistic journey.
He is also recognized as a district-level Shotput player, where he secured second place, showcasing his versatility beyond art.
Jitesh was the only student from SV College, Mandvi in many years to bring home a First Rank in an individual event at the university level, making his achievement a matter of pride for his institution.
These achievements highlight Jitesh’s dedication, hard work, and passion, not only in the field of art but also in sports and academics.
Legacy & Vision
Jitesh Maheshwari’s journey reflects a blend of creativity, resilience, and vision. From excelling in poster making to becoming the founder of The Indian Art Fest, he has continuously worked to create meaningful opportunities for artists across India. His story stands as an example of how determination and innovation can overcome limitations.
Through The Indian Art Fest, Jitesh envisions a future where art is accessible to everyone, regardless of geography, financial background, or social barriers. His mission is to make contests fair, inclusive, and inspiring, ensuring that every participant feels recognized and valued. By removing registration fees and embracing transparency, he has set a benchmark for digital art platforms.
Looking ahead, Jitesh aims to expand the reach of The Indian Art Fest globally, enabling artists from every corner of the world to share their creativity on a common stage. His legacy lies not only in his personal achievements but also in building a community where art thrives as a universal language of expression.