Indian classical vocalist (1932–2024)
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.
Her music training was in the Guru-shishya tradition. She learnt classical music from Sureshbabu Mane and Hirabai Badodekar from the Kirana gharana.[7] She acknowledged the influence of two other greats, Amir Khan for khyal and Bade Ghulam Ali Khan for thumri, on her gayaki. She also had formal training in Kathak dance style.
While studying music, Atre earned a Bachelor of Science from Fergusson College in Pune. Later she completed an LL.B. from University of Pune Law College. She also studied at Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal (Sangeet Alankar (Master of Music)), Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London (Western Music Theory Grade-IV). She later also earned a PhD in music. Her doctoral thesis was titled Sargam, and pertained to the use of sol-fa notes (sargam) in Indian classical music.[7]
Career
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.
- Music composition adapted for jazz by Susanne Abbuehl from the Netherlands[which?].
- Music composed for musical-dramas and Sangeetikas.
Related activities
Atre taught music, performing lecture-demonstrations, and writing on the topic of Indian classical music.
- An Assistant Producer with the All India Radio.
- A Grade — All India Radio Drama Artist (Marathi and Hindi).
- Main female role in Professional Musical Dramas.(Sangeet Natak and Sangeetika)
- She was a visiting professor at a few institutions in the West, including the Rotterdam Conservatory in the Netherlands. Visiting professor at the Music conservatory – Montreux Switzerland, the University of California, Los Angeles, Indo-American Fellowship for studying research materials used in Ethnomusicology at the University of California, Los Angeles, and at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
- 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
- Member of the Advisory Panel of the Central Board of Film Censors, Mumbai 1984
- 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.
- Atre had been concluding Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Festival since 2007 which is considered to be prestigious.[clarification needed]
- Dr Atre created a lecture series "Alok" to practically demonstrate her musical thoughts. It is available on YouTube and received very good public acclaim.
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, she also visited many foreign countries to teach and propagate Indian classical music beginning in 1960.[7] She established Swaramayee Gurukul at Pune to train students in traditional the 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.
