Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, an outstanding vocalist of the famed "Jaipur-Atrauli" Khayal Gayaki tradition, represents the new generation of younger veterans worthy of wearing the mantle of the old masters.

Born in a musically surcharged atmosphere, Ashwini completed "Sangeet Visharad" of "Gandharva Mahavidyalaya" at a young age of 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 Pt. Narayanrao Datar, she began imbibing all the traditional aspects of stylized Jaipur Gayaki under the strict tutelage of her mother, mentor and Guru, Smt. Manik Bhide.

Thoroughly grounded in the Jaipur Atrauli Khayal Gayaki tradition, Ashwini has developed into an artiste of immense public acclaim earning high praise from discerning critics and music lovers all over the globe. Ashwini’s musicianship is characterized by a blend of tonal sweetness coupled with vitality and emotion and raga structure-architecture. Her raga delineation shows an unerring grasp over the grammar of the raga yet maintaining a soulfulness in her singing. Through this she has succeeded in building up her own loyal audience. She yearns to explore the pathos of rare and complex ("achchop") ragas characteristic of her Gharana. In this effort she is receiving invaluable guidance from her Guru Pt. Ratnakar Pai, a senior stalwart of the Gharana.

Although a classicist by temperament and training, Ashwini is equally at ease with lighter varieties like Thumri-Dadra and Bhajans/Abhangs. Add to this, her fluency in Sanskrit enriches her repertoire further by inclusion of stotras/stutis. Ashwini has added to her devotional repertoire by scoring the music herself of many of her devotional presentations.

Ashwini's contribution to Hindustani classical vocal music has been acknowledged by way of awards and citations. She is the recipient of "Pandit Jasraj Gaurav Puraskar" which was conferred upon her on the occasion of the 75th birthday celebrations of the Maestro. More recently, she was awarded the "Kumar Gandharva Samman" by the Government of Madhya Pradesh - the first female Hindustani vocalist to have been decorated with this prestigious national award.

 

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