Legendary Hindustani classical singer Prabha Atre no more
Legendary Hindustani classical singer, author, composer and researcher Prabha Atre passed away following a brief illness at a private hospital in Pune on Saturday. Atre was 91 and had complained of some breathing issues, but succumbed when she suffered a cardiac arrest while being rushed to a private hospital.
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Governor Ramesh Bais, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar and other prominent personalities from various fields have condoled Atre’s demise.
An exponent of the Kirana Gharana of music, Atre was conferred the Padma Shri (1990), Padma Bhushan (2002) and Padma Bhushan (2022), plus many other national-international honours. An acclaimed classical singer, she excelled in rendition of khayals, thumris, ghazal, dadri, bhajans and natyasangeet, besides composing, authoring books on music. Atre is credited with inventing new ragas like Apurva Kalyan, Madhur Kauns, Darbari Kauns, Patdeep-Malhar, Shiv Kali, Tilang-Bhairav and Ravi Bhairav.
She composed music for a full-length dance recital Natya Prabha, a music composition adapted for jazz by a top artiste from Netherlands, and also created music for musical dramas or sangeetikas.
Meanwhile, President Murmu said, “She gave a new dimension to Kirana Gharana and played a significant role in taking Indian classical music to the world.”
Prime Minister Modi described Atre as, “A luminary of Indian classical music, whose work was admired not just in India, but across the globe. Her life was a symphony of excellence and dedication. Her efforts have greatly enriched our cultural fabric.” — IANS
Deeply saddened by the loss of the legendary classical singer, Padma Vibhushan Dr Prabha Atre ji. Her musical brilliance left an indelible mark on Indian classical music. Condolences to her family and admirers. Om Shanti. — Sonal Mansingh, renowned dancer
A doyenne of the Kirana Gharana, Prabha Atre passes away into the ages. — Hansal Mehta, filmmaker
Saddened to learn of the demise of Padma Vibhushan Prabha Atre ji. Her contribution to Indian classical music is exceptional. I remember listening to her renditions of ragas during my youth and she made an incredible impression on me. May she rest in peace. — Adnan Sami, singer
The beauty, grace and strength of her voice could be seen even with your eyes closed and purity of her music could be felt in your heart every time she sang … Dr Prabha Atre ji was a loved vocalist amongst all the lovers of Indian classical music across the world. — Durga Jasraj, singer-actor
