Student Testimonials
BFA, Digital Media Arts, batch of 2019
* “I can’t begin to express how important it is to me at this point in my life. I guess that must be true for other young folks as well. But you need to understand what you’re doing is exceptionally remarkable. We have teachers, mentors, and faculty, but then we have guides. These are people who hold a firm place in our hearts not because of how important they are but because their knowledge and wisdom help us become who we are and help us navigate the compass of life.
You’ve managed to hold such a place in many of our hearts.
You won’t be disappointed, I promise you.
I’ll carry this letter and many more words of wisdom you’ve gifted me throughout the entirety of my existence. Thank you.”
Tanay Sharma
Srishti Institute of Art, Design & Technology
BDes, Human Centred Design, batch of 2020
*I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. It has been a pleasure working under your guidance and every step of the way through these four years. Your classroom has been my safe space, my place to crib, complain to learn and grow. You taught me to love what you do, cherish every memory and use your voice to fight for what is right. You also taught me to love nature, read between the lines and turn every situation into a learning experience. Your life stories have always been inspiring and fun to hear, read and see. I do and always have considered you as a big role model! Being dedicated and passionate in the right way about your work is something that I learned from you. It has been a rollercoaster these four years. But you made it easier. Thank you for being there for me.
So thank you!
Manasee Kulkarni
Srishti Institute of Art, Design & Technology
BDes, Human Centred Design, batch of 2020
*Thank you for helping me find my vision
Shivya Kochar
The One School Goa, 2015
*You are an amazing professor, Mahesh. Studying & working with you is a delight. Your values & ambitions are worthy of a lot of appreciation. Thanks for being a kind-hearted, generous, talented, inspiring person
Srishti Saraogi
Srishti Institute of Art, Design & Technology
MCra, Creative Art Practices, batch of 2021
This project required a lot of editing, printing, reprinting, cutting, pasting, wondering if this effort was worth it, thinking, analyzing, and conceptualizing. This pre-thesis project was the first time I had initiated and kept with a project for this long; Mahesh had once described pre-thesis as being dropped into the cold ocean, which pretty much covered it. This project was a process of loving and hating what I was doing, my pendulum of confidence perpetually swinging. We spent so much time drawing inspiration, figuring out what we wanted from this project, and watching all our hard work and effort culminate into this beautiful artefact. I finally understand how to go about the ups and downs of a long project timeline, and it gives me confidence in my ability to recover and pivot my project and follow through. Time and resource management have never been strong points of mine, but I had to bite the bullet and figure out how to create long-term plans and goals for this project.
This project went from being calm and relaxed to stressful to something I could be proud of, something I could no longer look at and then back again. It took me so long to trust what I wanted and understand my viewpoint and vision, independent of how others interpreted it. One day, when I could not understand where my project was going, the co-faculty, Jayasimha, said this thing that stuck with me throughout: He told me,” I can’t fight for your project.” And so now I’m learning to fight for it myself.
Ishika Prasad
Srishti Institute of Art, Design & Technology
BDes, Visual Communication & Strategic Branding. Batch of 2023
(Behind The Image Project)
Working with Mahesh has been an enriching experience. I had the opportunity to be mentored by Mahesh for my 3-month pre-thesis project. The project brief he designed encouraged a slow-thinking process that was distinct and full of possibilities. He introduced complexities into my thinking and making throughout my project. It was also through Mahesh’s guidance that I was introduced to the concept of pluriverse and Arturo Escobar’s “Designs for the Pluriverse”. This theory has been particularly influential in shaping my perspective as a young designer.
Mahesh is a remarkable mentor who always encourages his mentees to question the status quo and envision a brighter future for their field. He has also been incredibly supportive of my creative endeavours outside of our project. I hold him in the highest regard as a mentor and an educator.
Dheekha Rajakumar
Srishti Institute of Art, Design & Technology
BDes, Visual Communication & Strategic Branding. Batch of 2023
(Behind The Image Project)
Mahesh mentored me at Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology between 2019-2023.
He is incredibly passionate about his practice, knowledgeable, cares deeply for his students, becomes highly involved in their work, and genuinely loves teaching.
Mahesh goes above and beyond to establish personal connections with each student he interacts with, comprehends their interests, and ensures he provides resources and materials to nurture those interests—even after completing a class with him!
What I admire most about him is his ability to weave personal personal experiences that connect with the subject matter he teaches in class.
Learning from him has undoubtedly been a highlight of my college years.
Aadya Naik
Srishti Institute of Art, Design & Technology
BDes, Visual Communication & Strategic Branding. Batch of 2023
(Behind The Image Project)