Sangeet Sankalp is a non-profit co-operative society of artistes, by artistes, for the promotion of talented upcoming professional artistes and amateurs, across the country. It was formed mainly with the intention of combating the trend of ‘consumerism’ in the field of music that merely recognized ‘star’ artistes as opposed to true pundits or devout practitioners.It has been functioning in India for the last 17 years, with over 95 branches and 11,000 members (of which there are 1000 artistes) spread across the length and breadth of the country. It has conducted more than 700 programmes so far.

The idea came about in a casual discussion that Dr. Mukesh Garg (editor of the famous music journal Sangeet) was having with his friends about a decade ago. The wide-spread consumerism and commercialization of music was making it difficult for lesser known artistes, who had nevertheless dedicated their lives towards the practice and learning of music. It was to alleviate this hierarchical star system, and to provide an alternative platform for highly talented artistes, that Sangeet Sankalp was started. In no time, the seed that was sown in Meerut, grew into an active country-wide ‘music revolution’.

With monthly concerts featuring local artistes, and an annually held National programme featuring both local as well as artistes from various other branches, Sangeet Sankalp is a forum that promotes cultural exchange among the diverse styles of Indian classical music.

Working with low budgets and limited resources, has never constrained this enthusiastic work force that is ably backed by several top class artistes such as as Pt. Raj Bhau Sontakke, Pt. Vishwamohan Bhatt, Dr. Kamla Bose, Dr. Maya Bhattacharya, Shri. Dipankar Bhattacharya, Pt. Bhalachandra Nakod, Shri. Prakash Sontakke to name a few.

Bangalore Chapter

The people

Shri Prakash Sontakke is the son and disciple of Dr. Raj Bhau Sontakke, a doyen of Gwalior gharana and a direct disciple of the Legendary Maestro Sangeeth Martand Pt. Omkarnath Thakur. An accomplished, highly talented AIR artiste, Prakash believes formal structured learning, which reflects in his Masters Degree in music (Guitar, Violin and Vocal) and is well on his way to a Doctorate. Known for his mellifluous gayaki ang and purity of raga, Prakash has performed at many prestigious music festivals across the country and abroad which includes - Kala Niketan Calcutta, Vasanthrao Deshpande Smriti Sammelan Nagpur, Sawai Gandharva Sammelan Kundgol, Veereswara Punyashram Gadag, Saptak Kanpur, Sankatmochan Varanasi etc to name a few.
He draws inspiration from greats such as Pt Kumar Gandharva, and Pandit Brijbhushan Kabra and Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki in his approach to this classical art form and is actively involved in the propagation and preservation of this ancient artform.

Smt. Chaitra Sontakke is an excellent vocalist of the current generation, and is also a student of late Pt. Rajabhau Sontakke. She teaches music at various schools in her effort to propagate classical music at the grass root level.

Smt. Smita Bellur is actively involved in the nation wide co-operative of performing artistes, ‘Sangeet Sankalp’ as one of the founder members of its Bangalore chapter. She is the secretary of Nadashri Sangeet Sabha – an organization that promotes Hindustani Classical music. She is an engineer by qualification and also freelances as a music journalist.