Prabha Atre, WHO IS among the frontrunners of the Kirana Gharana, recently won the Padmabhushan. An eminent singer, composer and teacher of music, Atre has released four albums of her concerts that highlight her renditions of the three varieties of Kauns and Bageshri.

Q. Why do you call yourself a self-made singer?
A. Because music was not in my family. After some formal training, I joined All-India Radio and was fortunate to listen to and interact with legends-that's where I learnt much. You have to be a good listener to be a good musician. Unfortunately that is not happening today. Everyone is in a hurry to mount the concert stage.

Q. Do you agree that gurus today hardly have the time to teach?
A. Absolutely. Every performer is not a good teacher and vice versa. You have to be lucky to get a good guru. And in today's circumstances, it is a blessing to get a good student.

Q. Have you deviated from your gharana?
A. No, but I have not followed it blindly. If I have liked some aspects of other singers, I have tried to adapt it to my style. A singer has to evolve his style or stagnation sets in.

- S. Sahaya Ranjit

REVERBERATIONS
Piracy Nemesis

TRUTH HURTS

Those familiar with the Bollywood music ensemble would often find plagiarised versions of top western songs winding their way up the domestic music charts. It's now time for retribution. The hip-hop world-or rap music as it is popularly known-has now taken to using popular Hindi music as the hook or chorus in song sequences. Truth Hurts, aka Shari Watson, that released the album Truthfully Speaking last week, has used a Lata Mangeshkar number in the hit song Addictive. Groomed by the uncrowned hip-hop king Dr Dre, Truth Hurts is fast acquiring a cult following of its own. From all accounts, the song is climbing the charts and has evolved into a dance floor favourite. Besides the good vocals, the "painfully honest lyrics" have also won over the hip-hop fans in the US. What is not clear is whether the Nightingale of India has got her due credit and commensurate greenbacks as royalty. If not, then truth definitely hurts.

-Anil Padmanabhan

ARRIVALS

TANHAI
Sony Music;
Rs 65
If the heart is lonely, this compilation of 10 songs by assorted artistes is sure to be a solace.

THREE...
HMV;
Rs 70
A collector's item as rarely have three doyens of the Mewati Gharana been featured together.

CHAKRA DHYANA
Kosmic Music;
Rs 50

Sit back and relieve your stress through this album. A good aid to meditation.