Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande

Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande (born 7 October 1960) 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.

Early life and education

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 (2004). A sequel titled "Ragarachananjali 2", containing 98 more bandishes (compositions) was published in 2010. She is also known for her setting of bhajans, especially those of Kabir.

Discography Introducing Ashwini Bhide (His Master's Voice; 1985) - Raag Yaman, Raag Tilak Kamod, Bhajan Rhythm House Classics (Rhythm House; 1987) - Raag Puriya Dhanashri, Raag Bhoop, Bhajan Ashwini Bhide Sings (His Master's Voice; 1988) - Raag Kedar, Raag Khambavati, Raag Bhoop Nat Live for Femina (Rhythm House; 1989) - Raag Nand, Raag Bageshri Morning Ragas Vol. 1 (Rhythm House; 1990) - Raag Lalit, Raag Vibhas Morning Ragas Vol. 2 (Rhythm House; 1990) - Raag Todi, Raag Kabir Bhairav, Raag Sukhiya Bilawal Bhaktimala: Ganesh Vol. 2 (Music Today; 1991) - "Jehi Sumirat Siddhi Hoi," "Jai Shri Shankar Sut Ganesh," "Jai Ganesh Gananath," "Ganapat Vighna Harana" Bhaktimala: Shakti Vol. 2 (Music Today; 1991) - "Jwalatkoti Balark," "Tero Chakar Kare Pukar," "Jai Jai Jai Giriraj Kishori," "Main Dharu Tiharo Dhyan" Bhaktimala: Krishna Vol. 1 (Music Today;1991) - "Madhurashtakam," "Mhari Surta Suhagan," "Kaisi Hori Machaiyi," "Sundar Badan Sukh," "Ka Karoon Na Mane" Bhaktimala: Namastotram Vol. 1 Ganesh, Rama (Music Today;1991) - Bhajans Young Masters (Music Today; 1992) - Raag Bhimpalas, Raag Shuddha Kalyan Raag Rang Vol. 1 (Alurkar; 1996) - Raag Bihag, Raag Bhinna Shadaj, Bhajan Raag Rang Vol. 2 (Alurkar; 1996) - Raag Madhuwanti, Raag Jhinjhoti, Raag Jog, Raag Nayaki Kanada Pandharpuricha Nila (Sagarika; 1998) - Abhangs Women Through the Ages (Navras Records; 1998) - Raag Ahir Bhairav, Raag Jaunpuri, Bhajan Krishna (Ninaad Music; 1999) - Raag Jaijaiwanti, Raag Vachaspati, Raag Megh Malhar, Jhoola, Bhajan Anandacha Kand (Megh Music; 2000) - Abhangs Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande Vol. 1 (Alurkar; 2000) - Raag Bilaskhani Todi, Raag Gujri Todi, Raag Nat Bhairav Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande Vol. 2 (Alurkar; 2000) - Raag Rageshri, Raag Durga, Raag Yaman Golden Raaga Collection (Times Music; 2000) - Raag Multani, Raag Gaud Malhar, Bhajan Swar Utsav (Music Today; 2002) - Raag Jhinjhoti, Raag Nayaki Kanada Navagraha Puja (Sony Music; 2002) - Bhajans Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande - Vocal (India Archive Music; 2003) - Raag Bageshri, Raag Kedar, Bhajan Roop Pahata Lochani (Self-published; 2004) - Abhangs Ragarachananjali (Rajhansa Prakashan; 2004) - Book and CD of self-composed bandishes Kari Badariya (Self-published; 2005) - Raagas Abhogi and Prateeksha, Jhoola, Dadra Sandhya (Sense World Music; 2006) - Raag Bageshri, Bhajan Soordas (Self-published; 2009) - Bhajans Unmesh (Self-published; 2010) - Raagas Vibhavati, Puriya Dhanashri, Raag Patdeep, Raag Manikauns Ragarachananjali 2 (Rajhansa Prakashan; 2010) - Book and CD of self-composed bandishes Arghyam (East Meets West; 2013) - Utsav Janasanmodini, Utsav Bairagi Todi, Utsav Nandadhwani, Utsav Charukauns, Utsav Pancham se Gara

Publications Ragarachananjali (Rajhansa Prakashan; 2004) - Book and CD of self composed bandishes Ragarachananjali 2 (Rajhansa Prakashan; 2010) - Book and CD of self composed bandishes Madam Curie - मादाम क्युरी (2015) - Marathi translation of Eve Curie's biography of Marie Curie.