About

Ashwini Bhide Deshpande

Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, an outstanding vocalist of the famed Jaipur-Atrauli Khayal Gayaki tradition, chose music as her first love forsaking a career in Biochemistry but not before completing her doctorate at the esteemed Bhabha Atomic Research Centre/ University of Mumbai. Born into a musical family, Ashwini completed  the Sangeet Visharad of the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya at age 16 and won the President’s Gold Medal at the All India Radio Music Competition in 1977. After grasping the rudiments of Hindustani Classical music under the late Pt. Narayanrao Datar, she trained in the traditional aspects of the stylised Jaipur Gayaki under the strict tutelage of her mother, mentor and Guru, Smt. Manik Bhide. Ashwini’s musicality is characterised by a blend of tonal sweetness coupled with vitality, emotion and an overarching raga structure. Although a classicist by temperament and training, Ashwini is equally at ease with the lighter Thumri-Dadra and Bhajans/Abhangs. Ashwini’s debut album was released in 1985 by HMV and several more have followed thereafter under various banners including Rhythm House, Times Music, Sony Music, Music Today, Navras Records and Universal Music among others. Ashwini has traveled extensively all over the globe participating in various prestigious music conferences and Sangeet Sammelans. She was awarded the Rashtriya Kaalidas Samman 2016 by the Madhya Pradesh Government and was declared the recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 2014.