Prasanna Prachi Dattaprasad Kakatkar

For Prasanna Prachi Dattaprasad Kakatkar, art is far more than a practice confined to a canvas. An artist, art teacher and creative enthusiast from Goa, he views art as a way of observing, experiencing and preserving the world around him. His work draws from nature, culture, spirituality, heritage and everyday life, while his journey reflects a deep connection to his roots and a willingness to learn and experiment.

Alongside painting and teaching, Prasanna explores photography, music, digital content and traditional Goan cultural practices. His association with Ghumat Aarti and Shigmo has strengthened his appreciation for community, devotion, rhythm and cultural continuity. These influences frequently find their way into his creative expressions, allowing him to interpret familiar Goan stories through contemporary visual forms.

The Beginnings of an Artist

Prasanna's artistic inclination emerged naturally during his school years. Drawing became more than an activity he enjoyed; it was a space where he could express his ideas and imagination. He regularly participated in school-level and All-Goa drawing competitions until Class 12.

These competitions became an important part of his formative years, encouraging him to observe closely, experiment with ideas, work within limitations and develop the discipline required to translate an idea onto paper. More importantly, they gave him the confidence to recognise art as a serious pursuit rather than simply a childhood hobby.

His mother and art teacher played significant roles in nurturing this interest. His teacher recognised his potential and encouraged him to participate, experiment and trust his abilities. The experience left him with a lesson that continues to guide his work: an artist should never stop learning.

That philosophy has become particularly meaningful now that he teaches. Having once benefited from encouragement himself, Prasanna strives to create an environment where his students feel comfortable exploring ideas, making mistakes and developing their own creative voices.

Finding Inspiration in Goa

Goa's cultural landscape remains one of the strongest influences on Prasanna's artistic outlook. Growing up surrounded by traditions, festivals, music, temples, folk practices and community celebrations gave him a rich visual and emotional vocabulary.

His involvement with Ghumat Aarti and Shigmo offered a deeper understanding of how art can exist beyond galleries and studios. Ghumat Aarti introduced him to rhythm, devotion, energy and togetherness, while Shigmo brought colour, movement and traditional expression into his everyday experiences.

For Prasanna, these practices represent stories, emotions and collective memories that can be translated into contemporary creative work. He believes Goa's traditions contain countless narratives that deserve to be documented, reinterpreted and introduced to newer generations through accessible artistic forms.

A Transformative Chapter in Maharashtra

Pursuing a four-year art course in Maharashtra marked another important stage in his development. Moving away from Goa meant stepping outside familiar surroundings and adapting to a new environment while committing himself to his education.

The experience also came with practical challenges. Art education demands considerable investment in materials, time and practice, and Prasanna took on side work to support himself and manage the cost of his studies and supplies. Balancing these responsibilities strengthened his independence and perseverance.

The years in Maharashtra shaped him not only as an artist but also as an individual, teaching him that creative ambitions require patience, responsibility and sustained effort.

A Pause That Led to a New Beginning

After completing his studies, Prasanna's artistic journey entered an unexpected pause. The COVID-19 pandemic, followed by an injury, resulted in a gap of nearly three years in his creative practice.

For an artist, an extended absence from creative work can be difficult. The interruption brought uncertainty and made him question whether he could return to the enthusiasm and momentum he had once experienced. Yet the pause ultimately became a period of reflection.

His return to art began gradually during recovery, and one particular work became a defining moment: a portrait of Rakhandar Bodgeshwar.

Rakhandar Bodgeshwar and the Return to Art

The portrait of Rakhandar Bodgeshwar holds deep personal significance for Prasanna. Created while he was recovering and attempting to reconnect with his artistic side, the work represented far more than the completion of a painting.

It gave him the feeling of rediscovering a part of himself that had been dormant. As he worked, he realised how deeply he had missed creating. The portrait restored his confidence and encouraged him to pick up his brushes with renewed energy.

In many ways, the artwork became a bridge between the artist he had been before the interruption and the artist he was becoming after it. It marked a restart and a renewed understanding of why art mattered to him.

The P2 Studio Takes Shape

Out of this renewed creative journey emerged The P2 Studio, a platform that reflects Prasanna's artistic identity, experiences and aspirations. The name P2 has a personal connection to his mother, Prachi, and sister, Prabhavi. Beyond its name, the studio represents an evolving creative space built around experimentation, learning and freedom of expression.

The P2 Studio is not limited to a single medium or discipline. It provides Prasanna with a platform to paint, teach, experiment, create digital content and communicate stories through different forms of visual expression. It brings together traditional influences and contemporary approaches, allowing his practice to evolve.

Exploring Multiple Forms of Expression

Rather than confining himself to one style, Prasanna works across acrylic, watercolour, oil painting, drawing and digital design. Portraits, nature, spirituality, heritage, culture and everyday experiences provide recurring sources of inspiration.

Photography has become another important part of his visual language, giving him an opportunity to observe and capture details that might otherwise go unnoticed. He also enjoys visual storytelling and experimenting with different ways of presenting an idea.

Exhibitions and art stalls have added another dimension to this process. Seeing people respond to his paintings, connect with particular pieces and purchase his work has been an encouraging part of his journey. For Prasanna, every artwork remains a learning experience rather than an endpoint.

When Social Media Becomes Another Canvas

The P2 Studio's creative expression extends beyond physical artworks. Prasanna uses Instagram, reels and YouTube to explore digital storytelling and connect with audiences outside traditional exhibition spaces.

His content brings together art, music, devotion, Goan culture, heritage and storytelling. A painting may communicate through colour and composition, while a photograph, reel or cultural performance can convey the same idea through movement, sound and context.

This digital presence has also helped him connect with younger audiences. By presenting elements of Goan culture through contemporary formats, he hopes to make traditional practices more relatable and engaging for a generation accustomed to digital media.

From Student to Teacher

Teaching art has become one of the most meaningful extensions of Prasanna's journey. His experiences as a student continue to influence the way he approaches his role in the classroom.

For him, art education is not restricted to teaching students how to draw portraits or paint landscapes. It is about developing observation, creative thinking, self-expression and appreciation for the world around them.

The encouragement he once received from his teacher now informs his approach. He wants his students to understand that their ideas have value and that mistakes are part of the creative process. Helping even one student discover a genuine passion for art represents a meaningful achievement.

Preserving Roots Through Contemporary Art

Looking ahead, Prasanna hopes to develop The P2 Studio into a stronger creative platform where art, education, culture and storytelling can exist together. His aspirations extend beyond personal artistic growth to encouraging young artists and contributing to the preservation of Goa's cultural identity.

He sees enormous creative potential in the state's folk traditions, music, festivals, devotional practices, heritage and visual culture. Through contemporary artistic interpretations, he hopes to document these elements and present them in ways that resonate with today's audiences.

At the heart of this vision is a belief in evolution without losing connection to one's roots. The P2 Studio embodies that balance: respecting tradition while allowing creativity to experiment, adapt and find new forms. For Prasanna, art is ultimately about more than creating something beautiful. It is a means of preserving memories, expressing emotions, documenting culture, telling stories and inspiring others. The P2 Studio therefore represents more than a studio or creative identity. It is an ongoing journey of creating, learning, teaching and keeping the spirit of art and Goa's cultural heritage alive.