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Smt Ashwini Bhide Deshpande (Hindustani Vocal) with
Seema Shirodkar (Harmonium) and
Vishwanath Shirodkar (Tabla)

Sunday, June 13, 5:00 PM


Venue

Recital Hall
St. Catherine University,
St. Paul
Seema ShridkarAshiwini Bhide DeshpandeVishwanath Shirodkar
Tickets:

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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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About the Venue:


Directions and Parking:

The Recital Hall is located just behind the O’Shaughnessy Auditorium  in the campus of St. Catherine University (2004 Randolph Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55105). The Recital Hall is Building 24 in the campus map (see below).

Driving Directions: 

  • From I-94 going E: Take Cretin Avenue exit. South (right) on Cretin to Randolph Avenue. East (left) on Randolph to Cleveland Avenue intersection. Stay on Randolph. Enter at GATE 3 on Randolph.
  • From I-94 going W: Take Snelling Avenue (US 51) exit. South (left) on Snelling Avenue to Randolph. West (right) on Randoplh to Fairview/Randolph intersection. Stay on Randolph. Enter at GATE 3 on Randolph.
  • From I-35E: Exit on Randolph Avenue. Proceed West to Fairview/Randolph intersection. Stay on Randolph. Enter at GATE 3 on Randolph.
  • From I-35W: Exit on 94 eastbound to Cretin Avenue exit. South on Cretin to Randolph Avenue. East on Randolph to Cleveland Avenue intersection. Stay on Randolph. Enter at GATE 3 on Randolph.

Gate 3 is located between Cleveland and Fairview and is nearest to the intersection of Randolph and Prior Avenues. The Recital Hall is located right behind the better known O'Shaughnessy auditorium. Parking is free after hours and on weekends.

Click here for a campus map of St. Catherine University.

Click here for other general maps and directions to St. Catherine University.

Acknowledgments:
IMSOM’s Spring 2010 Concert Series has been supported in part by funds provided by the Xcel Energy “Dollars for Doing” grant, the Honeywell “Dollars for Doers” grant and IMSOM Members and Donors All concerts are co-sponsored by KFAI Radio (90.3FM in Minneapolis 106.7FM in St. Paul ).
KFAI Logo

For further information contact:
 
Durgesh Manjure
durgeshmanjure@yahoo.com
Ameeta Kelekar ameeta@imsom.org

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