Hindustani Music Tours Artists from India

Mid April- Mid June 2010

Ashwini Bhide Deshpande

Glimpses of Indian Classical Music

Ashwini began her training at the age of five under the guidance of Pandit Narayanrao Datar. After graduating with a "sangeet visharad" from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, she started receiving guidance and meticulous attention from her mother, Smt. Manik Bhide, a great Khyal singer herself. Ashwini has inherited all that was best in her mother's style and was able to add a lot to her repertoire with great sensitivity and intellect. Presently she is receiving guidance from Pandit Ratnakar Pai, a veteran of the Jaipur gharana.
Systematic exposition of the Raag structure, brilliant phrasing, variety of taan patterns, ease and grace in all of the three octaves mark her singing. She does not merely present the gammer of a Raag, but can build it up into an aesthetically pleasing experience. Very recently a book of ‘Bandishes’, written & composed by Ashwiniji has been published which is now in great demand by music lovers and students. A resident of Mumbai, Ashwini is a graduate in Microbiology and also holds a Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry.

Seema Shirodkar began learning harmonium at a very early age. Her initial training was under the guidance of Shri Umesh Insulkar. She received extensive training under the able guidance of Pandit Tulsidas Borkar, an excellent Harmonist. She is benefited from her association with the Late Shri Vishwanath Pendharkar, one of the most gifted and versatile teacher and performer. Guru Pandit Tulsidas Borkar who groomed her as an accompanist and Shri Pendharkar taught her the subtle nuances of a solo performance.
She is involved in grooming young artistes in Harmonium. She has traveled extensively in India, USA, Canada, Europe and the Middle East having performed individually as well as with revered vocalists. Conscientiousness and focused sincerity making her the most sought after female accompanist on the harmonium. She represents the promise the future holds for Indian Classical Music making her the beacon of the younger generation. Seema is a graduate of the S.N.D.T University.

Vishwanath Shirodkar was initiated into tabla by Shri Suryakant Naik and later on he received training from Pandit Vibhav Nageshkar. He was groomed by Pandit Suresh Talwalkar, the revered Tabla Guru who honed Vishwanath's percussion talents richly. Now, Pandit Nayan Ghosh an accomplished Sitar player is guiding Vrshwanath on the path of excellence in Tabla accompaniment and in solo performance. Vishwanath is a Tabla artiste of repute, has proficiency, and is creative in performance.
He has bagged a number of prizes and awards as a Tabla solo performer. He has traveled extensively in India, USA , Canada, Europe, South America, and the Middle East and performed individually as well as with revered and well known Vocalists. Vishwanath is a graduate in Engineering but now is fully involved in performing and also takes time in grooming young artistes in Tabla.