It is with profound reverence, immense pride, and deep gratitude that we present “SUR SAGARIKA – सुर सागरिका, भाग-III”, a special commemorative volume dedicated to the life, music, scholarship, and enduring legacy of Swar Yogini Padma Vibhushan Dr. Prabha Atre Ji, one of the most distinguished exponents of Hindustani Classical Music and an eminent representative of the Kirana Gharana.
Dr. Prabha Atre Ji occupies a unique and luminous place in the history of Indian music. As a celebrated vocalist, musicologist, composer, author, academician, researcher, and visionary guru, she made exceptional contributions through her performances, compositions, writings, teaching, and intellectual engagement with music. Her musical philosophy represents a remarkable synthesis of tradition and innovation, discipline and creativity, performance and scholarship. Her distinctive approach to Khayal Gayaki, voice culture, raga interpretation, aesthetics, pedagogy, and musical creativity has enriched the artistic and intellectual dimensions of Hindustani Classical Music.
Published on the occasion of her Birth Anniversary, this volume seeks to celebrate her extraordinary contribution while providing a scholarly platform for meaningful reflection and research. “SUR SAGARIKA” – सुर सागरिका symbolically represents an ocean of swara, where diverse streams of musical knowledge, artistic experience, creativity, scholarship, and aesthetic thought converge. The volume therefore aims to explore, document, and disseminate the continuing influence and relevance of Dr. Prabha Atre Ji’s musical vision.
The special issue welcomes original research papers, scholarly articles, critical reflections, and academic contributions from scholars, researchers, musicians, musicologists, educators, practitioners, and students. Particular attention is given to themes such as her musical journey and artistic contributions, the Kirana Gharana tradition, innovations in Khayal Gayaki, music education, compositions, writings and research, aesthetics, semi-classical music, cultural preservation, global promotion of Indian Classical Music, and the contemporary relevance of her musical philosophy.
In keeping with the interdisciplinary nature of Indian artistic traditions, the volume also welcomes scholarly contributions related to Music, Dance, Theatre and Fine Arts, including aesthetics, pedagogy, artistic practices, cultural heritage, innovation, technology, and emerging trends. Such an approach encourages dialogue between traditional knowledge and contemporary academic perspectives.
The legacy of Dr. Prabha Atre Ji reminds us that music is not merely an art of sound but also a profound discipline of knowledge, creativity, self-expression, and cultural continuity. Her life and work demonstrate how deep respect for tradition can coexist with intellectual inquiry and creative innovation. Through this volume, we hope to encourage further research and critical dialogue on her multifaceted contribution to Indian music and the arts.
We express our sincere gratitude to all the authors, scholars, musicians, reviewers, academicians, research scholars, students, and contributors whose valuable participation has enriched this commemorative publication. It is our hope that “SUR SAGARIKA – सुर सागरिका, भाग-III” will serve as a meaningful academic resource and inspire future generations of musicians, researchers, teachers, and art practitioners.
May the timeless resonance of Dr. Prabha Atre Ji’s swara, sadhana, scholarship, and musical vision continue to illuminate the path of Indian Classical Music and inspire generations to come.
With deep respect and musical reverence, we dedicate this volume to the enduring legacy of Swar Yogini Padma Vibhushan Dr. Prabha Atre Ji.