Speakers

VID. ASHWINI BHIDE DESHPANDE

Ashwini Bhide Deshpande is an established Hindustani vocalist from Mumbai. She began her initial training under the direction of Narayan Rao Datar. She finished her Sangeet Visharad from the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya. She has also been under the tutelage of her mother late Smt. Manik Bhide, who taught her own style of intricacies and artistic tradition of Khayal gayaki.

Though associated with the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana, she was also impacted by the Mewati and Patiala Gharana. In light of these numerous inspirations, she has created her own melodic style and holds a solid grip over the three essential saptaks. Dr Bhide-Deshpande is also a researcher and holds a Masters in Microbiology and earned her Masters in Biochemistry from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.

She is the recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2014). She was the first female Hindustani vocalist to have been decorated with the prestigious "Rashtriya Kumar Gandharva Samman" in 2005 by the Government of Madhya Pradesh.