New Delhi: Legendary classical vocalist Prabha Atre died on January 13. She was 91.
News reports say Atre suffered a cardiac arrest at 3.45 am at her residence. Atre had a concert in Mumbai on the day, and had participated in rehearsals for it earlier in the week.
Atre’s mortal remains will be at the Swaramayee Gurukul until noon on January 15, Monday, so that music lovers and students can pay their respects.
Atre was known for her progressive views of classical music and has written extensively on it.
She had received several awards including top national honours like the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Sangeet Natak Akademi awards.
A poet too, Atre’s books include Swaramayee, and Suswaraale, which The Hindu in 2017 described as compilations of articles on music. The volumes Swaraanginee and Swaranjanee are compilations of her compositions, and Enlightening the listener and Along the Path of Music, capture her thoughts on Indian musical tradition in English, that report noted.
Trained in the Kirana Gharana, Atre also performed in musical theatres. She was a consummate music producer too, and had worked with the All India Radio.
Many on social media have condoled her passing, noting that it leaves the world of classical music emptier.