Vivek Sonar is a finest flautist of India. He is a senior disciple of Padma Vibhushan Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, a musical genius and a global ambassador of flute across the world.

Born in Chalisgaon, Maharashtra, Vivek started playing the flute at a tender age, inspired by his late father Shri Ramchandra Sonar - an eminent vocalist of the ‘varkari sampradaya’ (a traditional music community of pilgrims). After getting trained by his father, Vivek moved under the wings of his first Guru - Pt. Purushottam Antapurkar. It was here his professional skills were fine tuned and appreciated.

In 1997, Vivek moved to Mumbai to be trained under Pt.Hariprasad Chaurasia. His association with Panditji allowed him to move deeper into the realms of exploring the flute as a powerful musical instrument to express himself. Vivek’s discipline and practice under the able guidance of Panditji got him recognition in the music world. His powerful blowing skills coupled with a strong command over Tantakari and Layakari was lauded by music lovers and critics.

Vivek’s jugalbandi concerts with leading exponents of the Sitar, Violin, Santoor and Carnatic instrumental music, have been greatly appreciated. Vivek's hugely popular 'Flusion' is a collaborative fusion music effort, featuring the flute, drums, sitar, keyboards. Vivek has performed with (popular Indian classical performers) in over 14 countries like France, Switzerland,UAE, Morocco, South Africa, Iran, Australia, Dubai,United States of America, Canada, etc.

Being from a small town in the interiors of Maharashtra, Vivek was well aware of the challenges young music talent faced in India. To help such talent get trained and recognised, Vivek set up Gurukul Prathisthan, a charitable trust few dedicated learners are staying in Gurukul and taking gudance in Traditional Gurukul System of learning music. Today Gurukul Prathisthan’s music academy has over thousands of students enrolled in India and abroad .

But Vivek wasn’t satisfied with the small number of music talent he was impacting through his Gurukul. Travelling across the world for his concerts, Vivek realised that there was a tremendous demand for music learning amongst music lovers across the world and the only way to reach them was technology.

In 2017, Vivek decided to build a music learning app called myGurukul, the world’s first flute learning app on mobile phones and PCs. Till date over 3,50,000 people from 64+ countries are learning on the app. myGurukul started with just Vivek as a Guru and quickly moved into other musical instruments. Today myGurukul have stalwarts in Sitar, Tabla, and Violin on their platform.

There are many firsts in Vivek’s musical career. Vivek was the first flautist in India who founded the ‘Bansuri Utsav', India's music festival exclusively dedicated to the flute, where renowned flautists from across the country and three generations of flautists from Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia to Vivek himself and his young disciples, participate in this unique production. 'Flute Symphony' a novel concept of Vivek that features more than 80 flautists who perform together on stage.

Vivek also launched India’s first music award in the name of his Guru - ‘The Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia Puraskar', recognising musical greats for their service to Indian classical music.

Some of the prestigious events where Vivek has performed

  • BMM 2022- New Jersey, USA
  • SARB Akal Music Festival , Canada
  • AnuBhuti, Abudhabi
  • Paramata Festival,Australia
  • Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mohotsav, Pune
  • Mogubai Kurdikar Sangeet Samaroh, Goa
  • Hampi Mohotsav, Hampi
  • Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh, Varanasi
  • Urja Music Festival, Delhi
  • Pt.Ram Marathe Festival, Thane
  • Kala Ghoda Festival, Mumbai

Titles and Awards

  • Thane Ratna Award from Hindustan Times(2019)
  • ‘Pt.Sangameshwar Gurav’ Award, (2018)
  • 'Pandit Ram Marathe Award' (Honoured with the hands of Padma Vibhushan Pt.Hariprasad Chaurasia), (2016)
  • Title 'Ramaniya Venu Gaan Mani' (Honoured with the hands of Padmashree Vidwan Dr. N Ramani at Chennai), (2015)
  • ‘P.Sawalaram Award, (2014)
  • ‘Thane Gunijan’, (2013)
  • Title 'SURMANI' from Sur Sringar Samsad Mumbai, (2006)
  • 'Yuva Gaurav', (2004)
  • National Scholarship from Union Government Of India, (2000)
  • 'Vrindaban Gurukul Scholarship, (1999)