Rubab, robab or rabab (Pashto: روباب, Persian: رُباب‎, Urdu: روباب‎, Kashmiri: روباب, Sindhi: رباب Azerbaijani: Rübab, Turkish: Rübab, Tajik and Uzbek рубоб) is a lute-like musical instrument originating from Afghanistan. The rubab is one of the national musical instruments of Afghanistan and other areas inhabited by the Pashtun, Baloch and also played by Sindhi people in Sindh and by Kashmiri people in Kashmir. It proliferated throughout West, Central, South and Southeast Asia. It derives its name from Arabic rebab 'played with a bow'; in Central Asia, however, the instrument is plucked an

Prabha Atre (born 13 September 1932) is an Indian classical vocalist from the Kirana gharana. Dr. Prabha Atre holds the world record to have released 11 books (from a single stage). She released 11 books on music in Hindi and English at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi on 18 April 2016.[citation needed]

Early life and background

Vinayak Ramchandra Athavale (marathi: विनायक रामचंद्र आठवले) (1918 - 2011), better known as V. R. Athavale or Vi. Ra. Athavale, was a Hindustani classical vocalist and one of the foremost Hindustani classical musicologists of the 20th Century, alongside Vamanrao Deshpande and Sharadchandra Arolkar. He composed using the pen name "Naad Piya". He is known for his critique of traditional ideas and modern aesthetics. He was trained primarily by Vinayakrao Patwardhan and Vilayat Hussain Khan and is considered a representative of Gwalior and Agra traditions.

Gayatri Asokan is a playback singer who works mainly in Malayalam cinema. She started her playback career with the song "Deena Dayalo Rama" for the film Arayannagalude Veedu under music director Raveendran. "Enthe Nee Kanna" for Sasneham Sumitra won her the Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer in 2003. Her memorable hits include "Chanjadi Adi" from Makalkku, "Thumbikkinnaram" from Naran and "Pularumo" from Ritu.[citation needed]

Asgari Bai (January–August 1918 – 9 August 2006) was an Indian Dhrupad singer.  She was a recipient of Padma Shri,Tansen Samman, Academy Samman and Shikhar Samman.

Asgari Bai was born in Bijawar, Chhatarpur. She had come with her mother Nazeera Begum to Tikamgarh. She died on 9 August 2006.

Ashgari Bai (1998), an Indian documentary film directed by Priti Chandriani and Brahmanand S. Singh explores her life as an exponent of Dhrupad.