Prabha Atre, torch-bearer of Kirana gharana, turns 90

Connoisseurs say flowers bloom in clouds when she sings. Prabha Atre, India's seniormost performing vocalist, has over the decades contributed immensely to its classical music both as singer and researcher, striking a fine balance between thesis and practice, art and academia. The much-toasted artist, who was honoured with Padma Vibhushan early this year, will turn 90 on September 13.

- Ambarish Mishra

Atre stepped into the rarefied world of music at a time when maestros such as Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Ustad Amir Khan, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Kumar Gandharva, Pandit Mallikarjun Mansoor and Kesarbai Kerkar reigned supreme, and Mumbai boasted a rich tradition of private soirees ('baithak') and public concerts ('sammelans'), which were held with aplomb and regular frequency.

Although not from a family of musicians, Atre was mesmerised by the soft strains of the 'taanpura', the immaculate craftsmanship of human voice and the ubiquitous radio.

Rigourous training under Sureshbabu Mane catapulted her to the centre stage. Today, Atre is seen as the illustrious torch-bearer of the fabled Kirana gharana, which was once helmed by greats such as Hirabai Barodekar, Gangubai Hangal, Pandit Feroze Dastur, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Manik Varma and Sajjad Hussain, the fabulously talented and maverick film music composer.