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]
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. 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.
Book of compositions SwarangineeSwaranjanee and Swararangee.
She also invented new Raags such as Apurva Kalyan, Darbari Kauns, Bhinna Kauns, Patdeep-Malhar, Shiv Kali, Shivani, Kalaheer, Tilang-bhairav, Ravi-Bhairav, Kaushik 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.
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)
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, Veena Shukla, Chetna Banawat, Atindra Sarvadikar, Arati Thakur, Ashvini Modak, Fumie Nigeshi, etc.
