Hindustani Vocal Recital by Vidhushi Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande. Tabla: Sanjay Deshpande, Harmonium: Siddhesh Bicholkar Venue: Chinmay Mission, 10353 Synott Rd; Sugar Land

Indian Music Society of Houston is proud to host Mrs. Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande, the leading exponent of the Hindustani classical music singing.

Ashwiniji’s teachers include Narayanrao Datar (Gwalor gharana), her mother Manik Bhide (A student of Gaansaraswati Kishori Amonkar – the doyenne of Jaipur-Atrauli gharana), and Ratnakar Pai.  Absorbing all from these famous Gurus, and also other thought leaders like Babanrao Haldankar and Ravi Shankar, she has created her own style and stamp on Hindustani Classical music.

In early years, she mastered the traditional khayal music and various well known bandishes, presenting them in a mesmerizing fashion.  Her rendition of raag Bhoop in 2003 IMS Houston concert was par excellence and unforgettable.Bhoop

Over time she has added new angles by developing and excelling on singing combination ragas. Her foray into the style of Pandit Jasraj was mind blowing, when she sang the Jasarangi Jugalbandi with Sanjeev Abhyankar.

Reviving rarely sung raag, creating new bandishes and more, she stands out as a unique presenter for our Houston audience.  With a researcher’s mindset and eagerness to absorb from others inspires her to push herself into even more unique direction, creating new bandishes.  A typical example is her creation in Raag Lalit – “Jagiye Ho Nandalala”, very apt words for the mood of this early morning raag. Lalit

In addition to the traditionally common Tritaal and Ektaal, you will often hear her singing in the 14 beet Ada Chautaal and in ‘anavat’ taal or untypical beat cycles like Nine and half beat variation of standard 10 beet Jhaptaal.

Sometime she will surprise you by unique twists that are unforgettable.  Like this version of Kesariya Balam sung in the IMS Houston concert in 2019, to 7 beet Rupak Taal, instead of the usual 6 beat Dadra.  Kesariya

Ashwini ji also presents folk tunes, Tulsi Dohe and Kabir bhajans in a unique style.  Here is a rendition of an Utter Pradesh folk song: Lokgeet

She has a large collection of CDs to her credit and these days, one can find a large number of her performance videos on Youtube and other internet platforms.  She has been honored with numerous awards and recognitions, including PadmaShri in 2025 for her contribution to the Art.  Her book RagaRachanjali is a must have for any classical music student.  There are many bandish compositions in there, both written and recorded.

Before finishing high school, she became Sangeet Visharad from the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya and later went on earn Doctorate in Biochemistry from Bhaba Atomic Research Center.  What more, she has also translated into Marathi and published, a biography of two-time noble prize winner Marie Curie.

Ashwini ji will present yet another unparallel evening of classical music on 25^th April 2026 in Houston.  Those attending are sure to remember this concert for years to come.

Concert Date        : April 25 , 2026 (Sat),

Concert Venue     : Chinmay Mission, 10353 Synott Rd; Sugar Land,

Concert Time       : 5PM to 8PM,

Concert Tickets   : $25(FREE FOR IMS PAID MEMBERS),
www.imshouston.org