ASHWINI BHIDE DESHPANDE

• Born into a family of Hindustani music enthusiasts, she was initiated into music under Narayanrao Datar, a disciple of Vishnu Digamabar Paluskar of the Gwalior Gharana.
• Completed Sangeet Visharad from the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya. 
• Was formally introduced to Jaipur gayaki, her mainstay, by her mother Manik Bhide, herself a disciple of Vidushi Kishori Amonkar. 
• Also trained under Ratnakar Pai, a senior exponent of the Jaipur gayaki, to learn different aprachalit (uncommon) ragas. 
• Her debut record was released by HMV in 1985. 
• She has recorded with Rhythm House, Times Music, Sony Music, Music Today, Navras Records & Universal Music among others. 
• Has travelled extensively all over the world participating in various prestigious music conferences and Sangeet Sammelans. 
• Published a book ‘Ragarachananjali’ of her self-composed bandishes in 2004 & ‘Ragachananjali 2’ in October 2010. 
• A ‘top grade’ artiste of Akashwani & Doordarshan. 
• Received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2015) 
• Has a Ph.D in Microbiology from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.