About the
Artists
Ashwini Bhide Deshpande
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 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 debut recording album was released in 1985 by HMV and several
more have followed thereafter under various banners including Rhythm
House, Times Music, Sony Music, Music Today, Navras records etc. In
October 2004 Ashwini published a book "Ragarachananjali" of her
self-composed bandishes. The book has received rave reviews all over
the music world and the effort has been lauded for its musical
creativity and artistic presentation.
Ashwini has traveled extensively all over the globe participating in
various prestigious music conferences and Sangeet Sammelans. Her live
concerts have been acclaimed for the sheer presentation delight, as
much as for the aesthetic and musical quality. A 'top grade' artiste of
Akashwani and Doordarshan, Ashwini has featured in several national
programmes and AIR Sangeet Sammelans. 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.
Ashwini, who is currently stationed in Mumbai, finally chose music as
her first love forsaking a career in Biochemistry but not before
completing her doctorate at the esteemed Bhabha Atomic Research Centre,
Mumbai.
Youtube links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzAN5zmwpZI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLvSY3wzi_s
Seema Shirodkar:
Beginning at a very early age, Seema had an acute
interest in music, and started her initial training under the guidance
of Shree Umesh Ansulkar. Then came a period of several years during
which she received extensive training under the able guidance of Pandit
Tulsidas Borkar, recognized by many has a complete teacher. She also
benefited from her association with the Late Shree Vishwanath
Pendharkar, one of the most gifted and a versatile teacher and a
performer. It was Pandit Borkar who groomed her as an accompanist and
it was Shree Pendharkar who taught her the fine points of a solo
performer. Seema has accompanied vocalists that include Kishori
Amonkar, Veena Sahasrabuddhe, Rashid Khan, Padma Talwalkar, Arati
Ankalikar-Tikekar, Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande, C, R. Vyas, Shubha Mudgal,
Rajan and Sajan Misra, Sanjeev Abhyakar and Prabhakar Karekar.
Seema is a graduate of the S.N.D.T. University and is on the faculty of
the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, in Mumbai. Seema has gone on concert tours
of U.S.A., Europe, U. K., Canada and the several countries of the
Middle East
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH-bjicMLi8
Vishwanath Shirodkar:
The art of accompaniment on tabla in Indian
classical music is a very subtle and a difficult one. Many try it, but
only a very few become successful in it and are recognized for how they
embellish the performance of the main artiste. When it comes to
providing accompaniment to a classical vocalist the job of a tabla
accompanist is even more difficult. Vishwanath Shirodkar is one of
those few who exemplifies these qualities. His knowledge of vocal music
gives him an added advantage and has therefore been recognized as one
of the best accompanists of the younger generation.
He was initiated into tabla by Shree Suryakant Naik, and later on he
received training from Pandit Vaibhav Nageshkar. At present, he is
receiving advanced training from Pandit Suresh Talwalkar, who is one of
the most revered teacher of tabla. Vishwanath has accompanied many well
known vocalists as well as instrumental musicians. These include Padma
Talwalkar, Rashid Khan, Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande, C. R. Vyas, Shobha
Gurtu, Malini Rajurkar, Shubha Mudgal, Veena Sahasrabuddhe, Rakesh
Chaurasia, Brij Narayan, N. Rajam, Ulhas Bapat and Zarin Daruwala.
Vishwanath is a graduate in engineering but devotes all of his time to
classical music. He has toured U.S.A., Canada, South America, the
Middle East and has performed in all major cities of India.
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