FAQ

Spotlight Forum

Spotlight Forum supports the performing arts by empowering artists and inspiring cultural connections.
Established in 2023, it operates under the aegis of the Integral Arts Foundation, a registered Section 8 Company recognized by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

Vision

Spotlight Forum was established to harness the power of the performing arts to illuminate the state of the world — its complexities, contradictions, joys, sorrows, and the everyday realities of the human condition. Our aim is to keep our work deeply relevant and responsive to the shifting challenges of our times. We offer a platform for vital stories that deserve to be heard and for art that demands to be seen — placing a spotlight not only on critical global issues, but also on the artists and the art forms themselves.
Amid it all, we honour the performing arts as vessels of beauty and joy, of quiet wonder and emotional truth — a space where expression and experience meet, and the human spirit finds its voice.

Mission

Spotlight Forum is dedicated to enriching Pune’s cultural and artistic landscape by nurturing talent and fostering creative exchange. Our mission is to cultivate a vibrant performing arts community that resonates with diverse audiences and inspires meaningful engagement.
Through collaborations with Indian and international artists and cultural organizations, we aim to bring exceptional music, theatre, and multidisciplinary art forms to the city. We are equally committed to empowering emerging musicians, actors, directors, and writers by providing them with platforms to share their voices and showcase their work.

Governance and Compliance

Section 8 Company Registration

Integral Arts Foundation is officially incorporated as a Section 8, not-for-profit company by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

12A and 80G Registration

Integral Arts Foundation has received 12A registration from the Income Tax Department, ensuring a tax-exempt status for the company. Integral Arts Foundation has also received 80G registration from the Income Tax Department, providing a pathway for donors to avail tax deductions on their contributions.

GST Registration

Integral Arts Foundation is registered under Goods and Services Tax.

Patrons

Spotlight Forum is deeply grateful to be supported entirely by the generosity of our patrons.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Sonali Deshpande, Rati Forbes, Padmaja Shirke, Parimal Chaudhry, Meher Pudumjee, Ravi Pandit, Sudhir Mehta, R. Vasudevan, Rajan Navani, Prakash Dhoka, Gopal Amin, Sanjay Jindal, Asheer Kapur, Vikram Puri, and Lalita Vaish for their invaluable support.

Founders

Ritu Malhotra is a Pune, India based Psychotherapist, Metaphysician, Kinesiologist and Cellular Alchemist, and the founder of the Ajna Centre for Learning. Through her role as Managing Trustee of the Malhotra Weikfield Foundation she aids deserving students of science and technology, especially girls, in accomplishing their goals without taking on financial burdens. In 2023 Ritu co-founded the registered non-profit organisation Integral Arts Foundation, whose initiative Spotlight Forum is focused on the performing arts.

Khushru Irani is a Pune, India based architect whose practice localground works on a diverse range of projects in the public and private sectors. Apart from his work as an architect, Khushru co-founded the registered non-profit organisation Integral Arts Foundation, which enables two initiatives: The Loft Forum, started in 2012 and having hosted more than 150 events, focused on thought, creativity, and dialogue; and Spotlight Forum, started in 2023, focused on the performing arts.

Collaborate

  • Spotlight Forum invites artists and production houses to collaborate with us in presenting performances to our audiences in Pune. We would love to hear from you.
  • Theatre: We focus on English and Hindi theatre productions, particularly those with small casts and flexible, minimalistic setups.
  • Spoken Word & Storytelling: We host storytelling and spoken-word events in English, Hindi, and Urdu.
  • Music: We welcome performances in spiritual and folk music, as well as Indian and Western classical music.
  • Dance: We are keen to showcase Indian Classical dance and Contemporary dance forms.
  • Other Performing Arts: If you work with a unique or alternative performance art form, we’d be excited to explore opportunities to share it with our audience.

Engagement Terms

We follow tailored engagement terms for each event, determined through in-depth discussions with the artist or their manager.

Event Logistics

Spotlight Forum is responsible for:

  • Honouring all commitments made to the artist during the planning of the event
  • Reserving and booking the performance venue
  • Event promotion, including posters, emails, WhatsApp broadcasts, social media, and website updates
  • Ticketing, which includes listing tickets on online platforms (primarily BookMyShow), managing both online and offline bookings, and handling box office operations at the venue
  • Audience support through our team of volunteers, who assist with ushering and helping guests at the venue

Artists are responsible for:

  • All aspects of production, including technical setup (lighting, sound, special effects, etc.) and stage/property setup
  • While Spotlight Forum may offer support—such as connecting artists with vendors—we do not assume responsibility for technical or production-related elements of the performance

Acknowledgment

Spotlight Forum requires that our logo be included on all event-related promotional materials—this includes both print and digital posters, tickets, ticketing platform creatives, and any other visual communication. Additionally, acknowledging Spotlight Forum’s role in making the event possible—by appropriately mentioning our name in the text of online (email, social media, website, etc.) and print announcements—is required.

Recording

Spotlight Forum seeks permission from artists to professionally document events through photography and videography. This material is shared with the artists and may be selectively used by Spotlight Forum for archival purposes and across our digital platforms, including our website and social media.

Full videos are never shared publicly or uploaded in their entirety. Instead, short clips may be used for promotional or informational purposes.

This request is made during the finalization of the engagement terms, and artists retain the right to accept or decline recording.

Outreach and Publicity

Spotlight Forum promotes all events to its audience through email, WhatsApp, its website, and social media platforms. We do not engage in paid advertising or publicity. Artists are also expected to promote the event through their own networks and platforms.

Volunteer

Spotlight Forum is a fully volunteer-driven initiative with no paid staff. If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to us via phone or email—we would be happy to find a role that aligns with your interests and availability. Here are some of the ways you can contribute:

  • Audience Support: Assist on event day with ushering, managing the ticket desk, and engaging with audience members.
  • Event Setup and Artist Support: Help with production logistics and provide on-site support to the artist team during the event.
  • Media Outreach: Support us by sharing event updates with media outlets. If you have connections in traditional or social media, they are especially welcome.

Donate

The performing arts have long depended on the generosity of patrons. At Spotlight Forum, we rely entirely on your support to continue curating, presenting, and sustaining high-quality performances. We invite you to connect with us to explore how you can contribute to our mission and help ensure a vibrant and diverse future for the performing arts in Pune.

Organisations + Individuals

We collaborate with a range of organisations and individuals to bring many of our events to life. These partnerships help us reach broader audiences, share resources, and create more opportunities for artists — including those who might not otherwise come to Pune.
If you are interested in partnering with us, we would love to hear from you.

Partner Organisations

  • The Poona Music Society
  • QTP Entertainment
  • Baithak Foundation
  • Akvarious Productions
  • Collective Madness
  • Dastangoi Collective
  • Jashn-e-Qalam

Interviewing Artists and Featuring Performances

If you are a journalist interested in interviewing our artists or featuring their work, please feel free to contact us by phone or email. To stay updated on upcoming events, you can join our mailing list or follow us on social media.

Spotlight Forum

Spotlight Forum supports the performing arts by empowering artists and inspiring cultural connections.
Established in 2023, it operates under the aegis of the Integral Arts Foundation, a registered Section 8 Company recognized by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

Vision

Spotlight Forum was established to harness the power of the performing arts to illuminate the state of the world — its complexities, contradictions, joys, sorrows, and the everyday realities of the human condition. Our aim is to keep our work deeply relevant and responsive to the shifting challenges of our times. We offer a platform for vital stories that deserve to be heard and for art that demands to be seen — placing a spotlight not only on critical global issues, but also on the artists and the art forms themselves.
Amid it all, we honour the performing arts as vessels of beauty and joy, of quiet wonder and emotional truth — a space where expression and experience meet, and the human spirit finds its voice.

Mission

Spotlight Forum is dedicated to enriching Pune’s cultural and artistic landscape by nurturing talent and fostering creative exchange. Our mission is to cultivate a vibrant performing arts community that resonates with diverse audiences and inspires meaningful engagement.
Through collaborations with Indian and international artists and cultural organizations, we aim to bring exceptional music, theatre, and multidisciplinary art forms to the city. We are equally committed to empowering emerging musicians, actors, directors, and writers by providing them with platforms to share their voices and showcase their work.

Governance and Compliance

Section 8 Company Registration

Integral Arts Foundation is officially incorporated as a Section 8, not-for-profit company by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

12A and 80G Registration

Integral Arts Foundation has received 12A registration from the Income Tax Department, ensuring a tax-exempt status for the company. Integral Arts Foundation has also received 80G registration from the Income Tax Department, providing a pathway for donors to avail tax deductions on their contributions.

GST Registration

Integral Arts Foundation is registered under Goods and Services Tax.

Patrons

Spotlight Forum is deeply grateful to be supported entirely by the generosity of our patrons.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Sonali Deshpande, Rati Forbes, Padmaja Shirke, Parimal Chaudhry, Meher Pudumjee, Ravi Pandit, Sudhir Mehta, R. Vasudevan, Rajan Navani, Prakash Dhoka, Gopal Amin, Sanjay Jindal, Asheer Kapur, Vikram Puri, and Lalita Vaish for their invaluable support.

Founders

Ritu Malhotra is a Pune, India based Psychotherapist, Metaphysician, Kinesiologist and Cellular Alchemist, and the founder of the Ajna Centre for Learning. Through her role as Managing Trustee of the Malhotra Weikfield Foundation she aids deserving students of science and technology, especially girls, in accomplishing their goals without taking on financial burdens. In 2023 Ritu co-founded the registered non-profit organisation Integral Arts Foundation, whose initiative Spotlight Forum is focused on the performing arts.

Khushru Irani is a Pune, India based architect whose practice localground works on a diverse range of projects in the public and private sectors. Apart from his work as an architect, Khushru co-founded the registered non-profit organisation Integral Arts Foundation, which enables two initiatives: The Loft Forum, started in 2012 and having hosted more than 150 events, focused on thought, creativity, and dialogue; and Spotlight Forum, started in 2023, focused on the performing arts.

 

Collaborate

  • Spotlight Forum invites artists and production houses to collaborate with us in presenting performances to our audiences in Pune. We would love to hear from you.
  • Theatre: We focus on English and Hindi theatre productions, particularly those with small casts and flexible, minimalistic setups.
  • Spoken Word & Storytelling: We host storytelling and spoken-word events in English, Hindi, and Urdu.
  • Music: We welcome performances in spiritual and folk music, as well as Indian and Western classical music.
  • Dance: We are keen to showcase Indian Classical dance and Contemporary dance forms.
  • Other Performing Arts: If you work with a unique or alternative performance art form, we’d be excited to explore opportunities to share it with our audience.

Engagement Terms

We follow tailored engagement terms for each event, determined through in-depth discussions with the artist or their manager.

Event Logistics

Spotlight Forum is responsible for:

  • Honouring all commitments made to the artist during the planning of the event
  • Reserving and booking the performance venue
  • Event promotion, including posters, emails, WhatsApp broadcasts, social media, and website updates
  • Ticketing, which includes listing tickets on online platforms (primarily BookMyShow), managing both online and offline bookings, and handling box office operations at the venue
  • Audience support through our team of volunteers, who assist with ushering and helping guests at the venue

Artists are responsible for:

  • All aspects of production, including technical setup (lighting, sound, special effects, etc.) and stage/property setup
  • While Spotlight Forum may offer support—such as connecting artists with vendors—we do not assume responsibility for technical or production-related elements of the performance

Acknowledgment

Spotlight Forum requires that our logo be included on all event-related promotional materials—this includes both print and digital posters, tickets, ticketing platform creatives, and any other visual communication. Additionally, acknowledging Spotlight Forum’s role in making the event possible—by appropriately mentioning our name in the text of online (email, social media, website, etc.) and print announcements—is required.

Recording

Spotlight Forum seeks permission from artists to professionally document events through photography and videography. This material is shared with the artists and may be selectively used by Spotlight Forum for archival purposes and across our digital platforms, including our website and social media.

Full videos are never shared publicly or uploaded in their entirety. Instead, short clips may be used for promotional or informational purposes.

This request is made during the finalization of the engagement terms, and artists retain the right to accept or decline recording.

Outreach and Publicity

Spotlight Forum promotes all events to its audience through email, WhatsApp, its website, and social media platforms. We do not engage in paid advertising or publicity. Artists are also expected to promote the event through their own networks and platforms.

Volunteer

Spotlight Forum is a fully volunteer-driven initiative with no paid staff. If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to us via phone or email—we would be happy to find a role that aligns with your interests and availability. Here are some of the ways you can contribute:

  • Audience Support: Assist on event day with ushering, managing the ticket desk, and engaging with audience members.
  • Event Setup and Artist Support: Help with production logistics and provide on-site support to the artist team during the event.
  • Media Outreach: Support us by sharing event updates with media outlets. If you have connections in traditional or social media, they are especially welcome.

Donate

The performing arts have long depended on the generosity of patrons. At Spotlight Forum, we rely entirely on your support to continue curating, presenting, and sustaining high-quality performances. We invite you to connect with us to explore how you can contribute to our mission and help ensure a vibrant and diverse future for the performing arts in Pune.

Organisations + Individuals

We collaborate with a range of organisations and individuals to bring many of our events to life. These partnerships help us reach broader audiences, share resources, and create more opportunities for artists — including those who might not otherwise come to Pune.
If you are interested in partnering with us, we would love to hear from you.

Partner Organisations

  • The Poona Music Society
  • QTP Entertainment
  • Baithak Foundation
  • Akvarious Productions
  • Collective Madness
  • Dastangoi Collective
  • Jashn-e-Qalam

Interviewing Artists and Featuring Performances

If you are a journalist interested in interviewing our artists or featuring their work, please feel free to contact us by phone or email. To stay updated on upcoming events, you can join our mailing list or follow us on social media.

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