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. 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. Atre died on 13 January 2024, at the age of 91.

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. 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 for a short period. 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.

Career

Atre had a short stint as a singing stage-actress in the early days of her career. She also played roles in a line-up of Marathi theatre classics, which included Sangeet Nataks like Sanshay-Kallol, Maanaapamaan, Saubhadra and Vidyaharan. She acted wonderfully along with stage artists Ganpatrao Bodas, Chhota Gandharva, Ram Marathe, PL Deshpande, Prasad Savkar, Bhalchandra Pendharkar and created great impact with her effective singing style. Atre was one of the senior vocalists in the country representing the Kirana Gharana. Her first LP, with Maru Bihag, Kalavati and Khamaj Thumari clearly demonstrates her extraordinary artistry and creativity.This is probably maximum sold out record of Indian classical music. She contributed to popularizing Indian classical vocal music at global level. She had exceptional command over various musical genres such as Khyal, Thumri, Dadra, Ghazal, geet, Natyasangeet, and bhajans.

As a composer

Related activities

Atre taught music, performing lecture-demonstrations, and writing on the topic of Indian classical music.

Awards

Discography

Books

Books of music compositions:

1. Swaranjanee
2. Swaranginee
3. Swararangee Books containing her musical thoughts:
4. Swaramayee (Marathi and Hindi)
5. Suswaralee (Marathi and Hindi)
6. Along the path of Music
7. Enlightening the listener Book of poetry: Antah Swar (Marathi Hindi and English)

Disciples

Atre gave private lessons to students beginning in 1969. 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. She established Swaramayee Gurukul at Pune to train students in traditional Guru Shishya Parampara system. Her noted disciples are: Alka Joglekar, Vijaya Patki, Asha Parasnis, Padmini Rao, Chetna Banawat, Atindra Sarvadikar, Arati Thakur, Ashvini Modak, Fumie Nigeshi etc.