Obituary: Voice that embodied vast grammar of classical music

Nonika Singh

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Even on her last day on the mortal earth, classical music doyenne Prabha Atre was slated to perform at a concert in Mumbai. A rare gem in the field of music with a doctorate in the subject, she was also an academician with degrees in law and science.

Atre did not hail from a family of musicians. Music came into her life perchance. Her mother’s illness and a suggestion that music lessons might bring her relief introduced Atre to the art.

A vocalist of the Kirana Gharana, which stands apart for its emphasis on ‘swara’ and ‘sargam taans’, she trained in its traditional style. Also, she was equally inspired by legendary Ustad Amir Khan, the founder of the Indore Gharana, and illustrious Patiala Gharana maestro Bade Ghulam Ali Khan.

Well-versed in different genres right from ‘khyal’, ‘tarana’, ‘thumri’, dadra, ghazal and bhajan, Atre was as versatile a singer as consummate. She learnt Raga Yaman for full one year before she could move on to grasp the rudiments of other ragas. Later she was to create many new compositions in a host of ragas. A complete performer, hers was a voice that embodied the vast grammar of classical repertoire. Her rendition of Raga Maru Bihag, especially “Jaagu Main Saari Raina”, won her much fandom, and connoisseurs would swear by her ‘pakad’.

An erudite author, she redefined many concepts of classical music and is credited with writing books such as “Enlightening the Listener”. In autobiographical “Along the Path of Music”, which chronicles her musical journey as well as other impressions, the Padma Vibhushan recipient talked about why she did not feel the need to marry. But then she was wedded to music to whose vast expanse she contributed and redefined.

While her wish to take music to the masses may not have been fully fulfilled, her eternal wish, “Let my feet keep moving forward on this path, let me keep singing till my last breath,” did turn true. ‘Swaryogini’: Atre earned and lived up to the spirit of the epithet.