Dr. Prabha Atre did not originally play to pursue a musical career. But aged eight, her mother fell ill, and took a friend’s suggestion to try classical singing lessons to help her feel better. The young Prabha was inspired by the power of the new sounds, and soon after began studying with gurus from the Kirana gharana including Sureshbabu Mane and Hirabai Badodekar.

She also credits Amir Khan and Bade Ghulam Ali Khan with influencing her gayaki - a style which has itself become highly influential. She has earned degrees in both science and law, and a PhD in the use of sargam in Indian classical music. Now in her 80s, she continues to captivate audiences with a refined style, covering ragas, khayal, thumri, ghazal, bhajan, and tarana.

"Enclosed within the shell of my mind, I keep on at my music, my meditation eternally; the struggles of a calcite inside an oyster; till I sublimate that note into a dazzling pearl!"

Darbar believes in the power of Indian classical music to stir, thrill, and inspire. Explore our YouTube channel, or subscribe to the Darbar Concert Hall to watch extended festival performances, talk and documentaries in pristine HD and UHD quality.