Kirana Gharana connects with audience; Resource Centre would help in research: Dr Prabha Atre

Pune, 13th September 2022: Dr Prabha Atre, the veteran vocalist of the Kirana Gharana, who celebrated her 90th birthday on Tuesday, said that the specialty of her Gharana was that it connected with the audience. She was speaking during the function organized to mark inauguration of ‘Kirana Gharana Library and Resource Centre’ and the release of a special magazine on her life at Swaramayee Gurukul, Shivajinagar.

“The Kirana Gharana is a Gharana of love. It connects with the masses. Once a singer sings, he connects with the audience, and that is the specialty,” Dr Atre remarked while stressing that throughout her life she saw things with a scientific and rational approach.

The ‘Kirana Gharana Library and Resource Centre’ at Swaramayee Gurukul at Shivajinagar was inaugurated by Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, Mumbai’s president Dr Vikas Kashalkar in presence of Dr Atre, its vice-president Pt Pandurang Mukhade, Sangit Kala Vihar magazine editor Sudhakar Chavan, Dr Bharathi M.D., Hon Secretary of Dr Prabha Atre Foundation and Swaramayee Gurukul programme director Prasad Bhadsawale.

The famed classical vocalist also released the special edition of ‘Sangit Kala Vihar’ magazine, which documents her multidimensional persona and her contribution to Indian music and said all these things which she had not imagined have turned into reality.

“We do not have written material in music, especially the Kirana Gharana, where there is less documentation available and the Resource Centre has been started to make people aware about the Gharana, its artists and their work,” said Atre, who was bestowed with country’s second highest civilian honour Padma Vibhushan, adding that she experienced several pleasing moments in the last seven-eight months.

According to Dr Atre, it was instrumental to have education about music and other arts at the school and college level.

“We do not have any mechanism for the education of the audience. How to hear a song is an art and separate study is necessary for it. You need to understand music. Not only about music but there is a need to impart education at the school, college level about all the arts and the respective artists,” she stressed.

Dr Atre held impatience of artists and audience responsible for reduced timing of the classical shows.

“For this, both singers and audiences are responsible. Even the government is responsible for it. We are all responsible for it. Audiences do not have patience to hear a Raag, sitting for two hours. For the raag to blossom, it needs to be given time, that time is not there with the performing artists and audience. Also, because of government rules, you need to hear four artists in two hours,” she lamented.

About legendary Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, who received the highest civilian honour, Bharat Ratna, Dr Atre said that it was a proud moment for her that her Gharana has received the first Bharat Ratna through him.

Dr Atre also batted for having classical music tourism saying the concept would also help in spreading awareness about music among the masses.

Dr Kashalkar remarked that the Kirana Gharana was the most popular Gharana and Dr Atre was instrumental in ensuring that the music reached the globe and delivered lectures world-wide.

Bhadsawale said the Centre has 200 books, over 150 magazines and 20 GB performance data of 10 singers along with audio and video records.

The program was moderated by Anand Deshmukh, while Sudhakar Chavan proposed the vote of thanks.