NavRaag Prabha: A Musical tribute to Swarayoginee Dr. Prabha Atre

'Dr. Prabha Atre Foundation' presented 'NavRaag Prabha', a thoughtfully curated two-evening musical celebration dedicated to the raag creations (classical & semi-classical music) of the renowned Hindustani classical vocal maestro and scholar Dr. Prabha Atre. Conceived to honour Dr. Atre's visionary contribution to Hindustani music, the programme brought together her talented disciples, who presented these rare and innovative raags with depth, sensitivity, and artistic maturity.

Held at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, the concert unfolded across two evenings, offering audiences an immersive experience of both classical and semi-classical forms. Each presentation reflected Dr. Atre’s distinctive approach to raag development rooted in tradition, yet open to creative exploration, intellectual rigor, and emotive expression.

The performances moved seamlessly between vilambit, madhyalay, and drut khayal, along with tarana, thumri, dadra, kajri, and jhoola, presenting a wide aesthetic spectrum. The compositions highlighted lyrical beauty, intricate rhythmic play, and nuanced melodic architecture, allowing listeners to engage deeply with the creations of Dr. Atre.

*Event Details*

* NavRaag Prabha – 1

    Date: Thursday, 16 April 2026

    Time: 7:00 PM

* NavRaag Prabha – 2

    Date: Friday, 17 April 2026

    Time: 7:00 PM

* Venue: The Theatre (Amaltas), India Habitat Centre

    Lodhi Road, New Delhi.

Performing Artists:

* Dr. Chetna Pathak

* Smt. Arati Thakur-Kundalkar

* Dr. Atindra Sarvadikar

* Smt. Ashvini Modak

* Dr. Nalini Joshi

These distinguished disciples brought to the stage years of rigorous training under Dr. Atre, presenting each raag with clarity of form, emotional resonance, and stylistic authenticity.

*Accompanying Artists*

* Pt. Vinod Lele (Tabla)

* Vid. Paromita Mukherjee (Harmonium)

Their sensitive and responsive accompaniment added depth and balance to the vocal presentations, enhancing the overall musical dialogue.

*NavRaag Prabha – 1*

The opening evening featured a carefully structured sequence of raags, beginning with expansive khayal presentations and gradually moving toward semi-classical expressions.

Dr. Atindra Sarvadikar opened the evening with raag Apoorva Kalyan, presenting a detailed khayal in vilambit Ektaal - _'saanjh bhayee deepa jale..'._, followed by a drut composition in Aada Chautaal _'aisi lagana tumhein so laagi...'_ and a lively drut Teentaal bandish _'karama karo more saai..._'. He concluded with Gaara Malhar in a semi-classical Dadra/Kajri set to drut Keharwa taal - _'boond boond laage barsana...'_, bringing a lyrical and seasonal flavour.

Smt. Arati Thakur-Kundalkar presented raag Bheemvanti, unfolding the raag through a vilambit khayal in Ektaal - _'gaaoon main Hari naama...'_ and a drut bandish in Teentaal - _'sumira sumira Hari naama...'_, marked by devotional intensity and melodic grace.

Smt. Ashvini Modak offered a multi-layered presentation beginning with raag Shivakali, featuring a vilambit Ektaal bandish _'bhaja le mana Gauripati Parmeshwar...'_ and a powerful drut Teentaal bandish _'hey Shiva Shankara Mahaadeva...'_. She then presented raag Sampoorna Madhuvanti through drut khayal in teentaal _madhuvana mein Radha Hari sanga naache..._, and concluded with a semi-classical Thumri/Kajri/Jhoola in raag Kaafi Malhar _'nisa dina barasata more nainavaa...'_, blending expressive lyricism with rhythmic nuance.

Dr. Chetna Pathak concluded the evening with a rich presentation that included a vilambit khayal in Ektaal _'tuma bina naa koi...'_, a drut Teentaal composition _'laagi laagi re Nandalaala...'_, and a spirited tarana in drut Teentaal _'dir dir tadaare dim...'_. She further explored raag Kaushi Bhairav with a drut Ektaal composition - _'roudra roopa pralayankara...'_ and a concluding tarana in drut Teentaal - _'tanananana dir dir tom..',_ bringing the evening to a dynamic close.

*NavRaag Prabha – 2*

17 April 2026 | India Habitat Centre, New Delhi

The second evening expanded the musical canvas with a wider range of raags and compositional forms, maintaining a balance between structured khayal and expressive elements.

The evening started with Smt. Arati Thakur-Kundalkar presenting raag Madhurakauns, featuring a Madhyalay Roopak khayal _'Shyaama mana mohana...',_ a drut Teentaal bandish _'paar karo mori naiyaa...'_ and a tarana _'dir dir tadaani daani...'_ in drut teentaal, highlighting the raag’s melodic richness.

In raag Tilang Bhairav, she presented a Madhyalay Roopak khayal _'hey Shiv Shankar karunaakara...'_, a drut Teentaal composition _'jai-jai Shankara Paramesha...'_ and a tarana in drut Ektaal _'dir dir tanana tana tadim...'_ combining devotional depth with rhythmic precision.

The expansive of raag Darbaarikauns presented by Smt. Ashvini Modak followed --- with a vilambit Ektaal bandish _'manawaa kaahe na dheera dharata...'_ ,  _'gaa re manawaa Hari naama...'_, and a concluding tarana _'daare dim tadim...'_ in drut teentaal emphasizing the raag’s gravitas. Further she presented raag Kalaaheer - _'tuma bina naahein parata mohe chaina...'_, in drut teentaal & tarana _'taana derenaa tana derenaa...'_.

The sequence moved through Dr. Chetna Pathak who presented raag Ravi Bhairav through a Madhyalay Roopak khayal _'kaise paaoon main Shiva...'_ and a drut Teentaal  bandish _'aaye more mandirawa Shiva jogi...'_. Presentation of raag  Shivani included khayal _'palaka na laagee saaree raina...'_ and tarana _'dir dir tadaare dim...'_ in drut teentaal. She concluded her recital with a Thumri in raag Kaafi Ranjani - _'nainaa thaka gaye baata nihaar...'_ , leaving a lasting emotional resonance.

Dr. Atindra Sarvadikar concluded the evening. He began with raag Patdeep Malhar, presenting a Madhyalay Roopak khayal _'ae ritu aayi saavana...'_ followed by a drut Teentaal bandish _'kaise aaun paasa piharwaa...'_. He continued with raag Bhinnakauns presenting madhyalay roopak taal  _'tope vaari jaaoon...'_ followed by a concise yet engaging tarana in drut teentaal _'tanana dirana dirana daani...'_.

NavRaag Prabha stood out as more than a concert. It became a meaningful artistic exploration of newly created raags within the Hindustani tradition. Through nuanced presentations by her distinguished disciples, the programme highlighted Dr. Prabha Atre’s visionary contribution to expanding the melodic and expressive possibilities of Indian classical music.

The two evenings offered audience a rare opportunity to witness how vision & creativity with a strong base in tradition shows new path to evolve through thoughtful innovation, making the experience both intellectually enriching and emotionally fulfilling.