Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande
Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande is a Hindustani classical music vocalist from Mumbai. She belongs to the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana tradition. She was awarded Padma Shri in 2025 for her contribution to the arts.
Born in Mumbai into a family with strong musical tradition, Ashwini started classical training under Narayanrao Datar, the elder brother of violinist D. K. Datar. She then completed her Sangeet Visharad from the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya. Since then, she has been learning music in the Jaipur-Atrauli style from her mother Manik Bhide, a disciple of Gaansaraswati Kishori Amonkar. Ashwini also received guidance from Ratnakar Pai until his death in 2009.
Bhide-Deshpande holds a Master's degree in Microbiology and earned a doctorate in Biochemistry from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, a Sangeet Visharad from the Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal, Mumbai. She has also been the recipient of an honorary D.Lit. from ITM University (Gwalior).
Performing career
Bhide-Deshpande has performed at venues including the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, Canada in 2019 for the Raag-Mala Music Society of Toronto.
Bhide-Deshpande has an understanding of Bandish and bandish-composition and has created many of her own bandishes, which she has published in her book, Raag Rachananjali. A sequel titled "Ragarachananjali 2", containing 98 more bandishes was published in 2010. She is also known for her setting of bhajans, especially those of Kabir.
Discography
Introducing Ashwini Bhide - Raag Yaman, Raag Tilak Kamod, BhajanRhythm House Classics - Raag Puriya Dhanashri, Raag Bhoop, BhajanAshwini Bhide Sings - Raag Kedar, Raag Khambavati, Raag Bhoop NatLive for Femina - Raag Nand, Raag BageshriMorning Ragas Vol. 1 - Raag Lalit, Raag VibhasMorning Ragas Vol. 2 - Raag Todi, Raag Kabir Bhairav, Raag Sukhiya BilawalBhaktimala: Ganesh Vol. 2 - "Jehi Sumirat Siddhi Hoi," "Jai Shri Shankar Sut Ganesh," "Jai Ganesh Gananath," "Ganapat Vighna Harana"Bhaktimala: Shakti Vol. 2 - "Jwalatkoti Balark," "Tero Chakar Kare Pukar," "Jai Jai Jai Giriraj Kishori," "Main Dharu Tiharo Dhyan"Bhaktimala: Krishna Vol. 1 - "Madhurashtakam," "Mhari Surta Suhagan," "Kaisi Hori Machaiyi," "Sundar Badan Sukh," "Ka Karoon Na Mane"Bhaktimala: Namastotram Vol. 1 Ganesh, Rama - BhajansYoung Masters - Raag Bhimpalas, Raag Shuddha KalyanRaag Rang Vol. 1 - Raag Bihag, Raag Bhinna Shadaj, BhajanRaag Rang Vol. 2 - Raag Madhuwanti, Raag Jhinjhoti, Raag Jog, Raag Nayaki KanadaPandharpuricha Nila - AbhangsWomen Through the Ages - Raag Ahir Bhairav, Raag Jaunpuri, BhajanKrishna - Raag Jaijaiwanti, Raag Vachaspati, Raag Megh Malhar, Jhoola, BhajanAnandacha Kand - AbhangsAshwini Bhide-Deshpande Vol. 1 - Raag Bilaskhani Todi, Raag Gujri Todi, Raag Nat BhairavAshwini Bhide-Deshpande Vol. 2 - Raag Rageshri, Raag Durga, Raag YamanGolden Raaga Collection - Raag Multani, Raag Gaud Malhar, BhajanSwar Utsav - Raag Jhinjhoti, Raag Nayaki KanadaNavagraha Puja - BhajansAshwini Bhide-Deshpande - Vocal - Raag Bageshri, Raag Kedar, BhajanRoop Pahata Lochani - AbhangsRagarachananjali - Book and CD of self-composed bandishesKari Badariya - Raagas Abhogi and Prateeksha, Jhoola, DadraSandhya - Raag Bageshri, BhajanSoordas - BhajansUnmesh - Raagas Vibhavati, Puriya Dhanashri, Raag Patdeep, Raag ManikaunsRagarachananjali 2 - Book and CD of self-composed bandishesArghyam - Utsav Janasanmodini, Utsav Bairagi Todi, Utsav Nandadhwani, Utsav Charukauns, Utsav Pancham se Gara
Publications
Ragarachananjali - Book and CD of self composed bandishesRagarachananjali 2 - Book and CD of self composed bandishesMadam Curie - मादाम क्युरी - Marathi translation of Eve Curie's biography of Marie Curie.