Global recognition in skill-based platforms is anchored in measurable performance, not perception. For Atharva Takke, Creative Director, U Takke Salon and Academy, his dual appointment across IndiaSkills and WorldSkills Asia signals a calibrated progression into roles that influence not just participation, but performance standards. In an EXCLUSIVE interaction with Priyanka Parshurami, Atharva outlines the structural shift from execution to leadership within the global skills ecosystem.
In an industry where artistry often intersects with subjectivity, platforms like IndiaSkills and WorldSkills International bring a critical layer of standardisation, benchmarking talent against global metrics. Atharva Takke’s elevation to Chief Expert for, Hair, and Expert at the Asian level marks a defining moment not just for his personal trajectory, but for India’s growing credibility in the international hair and beauty competition landscape.
Atharva’s journey into the WorldSkills ecosystem began with curiosity, shaped early on by a missed opportunity. “I first discovered IndiaSkills and WorldSkills around 2015, when I aspired to participate, but age constraints did not allow it,” he shares. What could have remained a passing moment instead evolved into a long-term commitment. By 2017, he entered the system as a coordinator, managing training logistics and preparing candidates ahead of national competitions.
This exposure triggered a decisive shift. Leveraging his expertise as a colourist, his core forte Atharva transitioned into a trainer role. Backed by his professional association with L’Oréal and experience in conducting colour-focused workshops, he began training participants in 2017 and continued through 2018. These formative years, he notes, were instrumental in understanding the rigour and discipline global competitions demand.
By the end of 2018, his role expanded into evaluation, as he was appointed jury at the regional level. Assessing competitors brought a new dimension to his understanding one that required objectivity, technical precision, and alignment with structured judging frameworks. This trajectory progressed steadily; by 2020, he was part of the national jury, eventually transitioning into an expert role before assuming his current position as Chief pert for India, alongside his role Expert, Hair, WorldSkills International.
Each phase of this journey has added layers of accountability. As Chief Expert, Atharva is now responsible for ensuring fairness, standardisation, and technical integrity across the competition ecosystem. The role demands a shift from individual excellence to systemic leadership, where decisions must be transparent, consistent, and globally benchmarked.
From a strategic lens, Atharva believes this appointment can significantly strengthen India’s preparation for international competitions. Direct engagement with global standards allows for sharper alignment of training methodologies, evaluation criteria, and competitor readiness. The emphasis he underscores, is on building participants who can consistently deliver under pressure—bridging the persistent gap between skill and performance.
Atharva’s ascent reflects a larger industry shift, where Indian talent is no longer confined to participation, but is increasingly shaping global standards. His journey, rooted in persistence and technical depth, signals a more structured, performance-driven future for India on the world stage, one where excellence is not occasional, but engineered.