Prabha Atre (13 September 1932 – 13 January 2024) was an
Indian classical vocalist from the
Kirana gharana. She was awarded all three of the
Padma Awards by the
Government of India.[1] She died after experiencing breathing difficulty in the early hours and was taken to Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital. She died from cardiac arrest before reaching the hospital.[2][3][4][5] Atre died on 13 January 2024, at the age of 91.[6]
Early life and education
Atre was born to Abasaheb and Indirabai Atre in
Pune. As children, Atre and her sister, Usha, were interested in music, but neither of them planned to pursue music as a career. When Atre was eight, Indirabai was not keeping good health, and at a friend's suggestion that classical music lessons would help her feel better, she took a few lessons. Listening to those lessons inspired Atre to learn classical music.
Atre had a short stint as a singing stage-actress in the early days of her career.[8] She also played roles in a line-up of Marathi theatre classics, which included
Sangeet Nataks like Sanshay-Kallol, Maanaapamaan, Saubhadra and Vidyaharan.
Atre was one of the senior vocalists in the country representing the
Kirana Gharana. Her first
LP, with Maru Bihag and Kalavati, clearly demonstrates her extraordinary artistry and creativity. She contributed to popularizing Indian classical vocal music at global level. She was competent in various musical genres such as
Khyal,
Thumri,
Dadra,
Ghazal, geet, Natyasangeet, and bhajans.
As a composer
Book of compositions Swarangini and Swaranjanee
She also invented new Raags such as Apurva Kalyan, Darbari Kauns, Patdeep-Malhar, Shiv Kali, Tilang-bhairav, Ravi Bhairav, and Madhur-kauns
Music compositions adapted to full-length dance programme 'Nritya Prabha' – choreographed by the Bharatanatyam danseuse
Sucheta Bhide Chapekar.
Appointment as 'Special Executive Magistrate' by the Government of
Maharashtra in recognition of services to the cause of Music
Professor and Head of the Dept. of Music, S.N.D.T. Woman's University, Mumbai.
Around 1992, Atre started an annual Pandit Sureshbabu Mane and Hirabai Badodekar Sangeet Sammelan music festival. The festival takes place annually in December in
Mumbai.[7]
Chief Music Producer and Director for 'Swarashree' Recording Company since 1981
President 'Gaan Vardhan' – a well-known music organisation, Pune, for her last 22 years.
'Dr. Prabha Atrre Foundation' was registered in May 2000.
Atre established some years ago Swaramayee Gurukul in Pune. This institution amalgamates traditional guru-shishya style of teaching music and contemporary classroom teaching.
Dr Atre created a lecture series "Alok" to practically demonstrate her musical thoughts. It is available on
YouTube and received very good public acclaim.
ghazal and
bhajan recordings from live concerts from the 1970s
Books
Books of music compositions:
1. Swaranjanee
2. Swaranginee
3. Swararangee
Books containing her musical thoughts:
1. Swaramayee (Marathi and Hindi)
2. Suswaralee (Marathi and Hindi)
3. Along the path of Music
4. Enlightening the listener
Book of poetry:
Antah Swar (Marathi Hindi and English)
Disciples
Atre gave private lessons to students beginning in 1969.[10] She later mentored numerous students through her skilful teaching methods. Many of her students are well-known names today. She was also associated with SNDT women's University Mumbai as a head, From 1960 she visited many foreign countries to perform, teach and propagate Indian classical music.[7] She established Swaramayee Gurukul at Pune to train students in traditional Guru Shishya Parampara system. Her noted disciples are:[7] Alka Joglekar, Vijaya Patki, Asha Parasnis, Chetna Banawat, Atindra Sarvadikar, Arati Thakur, Ashvini Modak, Fumie Nigeshi, etc.