One of the only musicians from Karanataka playing the Slide Guitar and the only one to have won the Independent World Music Awards, USA and the Nashville Award for composers where his composition was chosen over the maestro Illayaraja and the phenomenal AR Rehman.
Prakash has toured extensively with his troupes namely ”The Prakash Sontakke Group” (Neo Classical Fusion), International Trio “Lehera” (World Fusion ), “Moonarra” (Jazz and Classical fusion ) , ”FOOD” (progressive Electronic Jazz crossover) where he performs with British Saxophone Maestro Iain Ballamy and the phenomenal Norwegian Drummer Thomas Stronen.”New Life” on the lines of Sufi World Fusion with Ace Drummer and Percussionist Sivamani and noted Sufi Vocalist Runa Rizvi
A Performer, Producer, Director, Innovator Prakash Sontakke has also been a Judge for the “Idea Rocks India” Reality show. Prakash Sontakke is one of the leading names in the field of Hindustani Classical and Fusion music.An A grade artiste from the Akashwani & Doordarshan and happens to be one of the very few people playing the Hawaiian Guitar and the Slide Guitar in the Hindustani style.
Lineage and Gharana Prakash Sontakke belongs to the illustrious Gwalior Gharana . His father Dr RB Sontakke is one of the senior most disciples of Pt Omkarnath Thakur and his mother Dr Mani Sontakke is the disciple of Pt Lalmani Mishra. Both Dr R B Sontakke and Dr Mani Sontakke were Educators in Benaras Hindu University for well over 40 years. Dr R B Sontakke and Dr Mani Sontakke established the Hindustani Sangeet Vidyapeeth in Bangalore where they have coached hundreds of students who are also busy performers in the field.
He has also innovated this instrument called Swar Veena on which he can play the Indian as well as western style.
Prakash prefers to play the Gayaki Ang (vocal style) which recreates the emotion of the human voice on the slide guitar. Prakash performs solo and with numerous bands and musicians in major concert circuits in India and internationally. He has directed several Movies, Documentaries and Animation films and Jingles. He has been a part of Award winning Productions in Jingles as well as All India Radio.
He is the recipient of the prestigious Aryabhatta Award, Ganayogi Panchakshari Gawai Award & Dr Puttaraj Gawai award.
His creative explorations in Jazz and world music are deeply underlined by his classical training.