An
eminent personality in the field of music, Dr. Prabha Atre has earned
for herself a place of distinction as a brilliant thinker, performer,
composer and teacher of music. She is one of the senior most, front
ranking female vocalists in the country representing the Kirana gharaanaa,
today. A Science and Law graduate, she also holds a Doctorate in music.
A former Assistant Producer with the All India Radio, former Professor
and Head of the Department of Music, SNDT Women's University, Mumbai,
and former Producer-Director of the recording company `Swarashree',
devoted only to Classical Music, Dr. Prabha Atre has a rare blend of
skill and insight. She has displayed constant innovation and creative
endeavour which has distinguished her from other vocalists, both in the
classical and light classical idioms. She is working as a committee
member for several social, educational and cultural institutions. Dr.
Atre has setup `Dr. Prabha Atre Foundation'
which
aims to strive for the cause of Indian classical music and performing
arts.
Dr. Atre has authored
academic books on the various aspects of music that are especially
relevant to the present day performance. Her Doctoral thesis on `Sargam'
or the use of sol-fa names as musical material, which is perhaps a
pioneering work on the subject, bears testimony to this. Her first book
`Swaramayee' which is a compilation of many of her articles on music and has
bagged the Maharashtra State Govt. Award in 1989 is a classic example of
her analytical approach and original thinking. Her second book `Swaralee'
published in 1992 also received great accolades. Madhya Pradesh Govt.
Hindi Granth Academy has published Hindi translation of `Swaramayee'
and `Swaralee' with a view to take these books to Hindi knowing
music lovers. Her third book `Swaranginee' published in 1994
carries 200 of her popular compositions in classical and light classical
music. A book in English `Enlightening the Listener - Contemporary
North Indian Classical Vocal Music Performance' (accompanied with a
cassette) has achieved its objective in helping the global music lovers
to understand and appreciate the Indian art music. A book of poems in
Marathi `Antahswar' by Dr. Atre brings out a different aspect of
her creative personality.
Dr. Atre is an acclaimed guru both in performance and research. Quite a
few of her students are already well known stage and mass media
performers. Her Ph.D. students had the advantage of testing their work
in the context of contemporary performance. Dr. Atre has also been
teaching at foreign universities as a visiting professor. Her public
concerts, radio and TV programmes and lecture - demonstrations in India
and abroad to audiences of varying tastes have always been highly
appreciated. She was honoured with the National Award `PADMASHREE'
in 1990 and the `SANGEET NATAK AKADEMI' Award in 1991 as the
Indian Government's appreciation for her outstanding role in enriching,
preserving and popularising the Indian art music.
Dr. Prabha Atre was trained in the traditional
`guru-shishya paramparaa' system by the late Sureshbabu Mane and his famous
sister, Padmabhushan Hirabai Badodekar, both stalwarts of the
Kirana gharaana and drew much inspiration from the styles of renowned
maestros, Amir Khan and Bade Gulam Ali Khan.
Dr. Atre's sincerity to her art and sensitivity to the times clearly
surface in her thinking and singing. Whether khyaal, taraanaa, thumri,
daadraa, ghazal or bhajan, she has a distinct style and typical
ingenuity in design and presentation. Indeed, her pleasant and dignified
presence on stage, her chaste and creative approach, her imaginative
play with subtleties of tones and dynamics, her effortless control over
intricate yet appealing phrases in aalaap, taan and sargam, her
precise articulation of words and stirring portrayal of the emotional
themes, all these make her music a singularly satisfying experience.
| Academic
Qualifications | Performance | Composition
|
| Professional
| Other Interests & Social Activities |
