Vidushi Dr. Aswini Bhide - “There is no alternative to being proficient”
As I approached Ashwini Bhide Deshpande for a chat, the sounds of the soulful Bibhas (a late night raga) that I heard a couple of years ago, was still ringing in my ears. When the door opened, the sun’s rays from the opposite window seemed to create an almost angelic halo around the diva of Hindustani classical music – the Devi of Jaipur Athrauli gharana, who ushered me in with a warm smile. I figured that it is her pleasing personality and congenial nature that makes her the darling of her audiences and concert organizers alike; her soothing honeydew voice and soulful delivery – the crowd puller.
Being the daughter of a vocalist like Smt. Manik Bhide, Ashwini had a great family background for the pursuit of music. Nevertheless, there was never any pressure or expectation from parents she says, adding, “My brother and I, were always good at studies and music – but the choice was clearly ours (parents never imposed their aspirations on us). My decision to take up music as a profession came much later (after I had acquired my graduation in Microbiology and PhD in Biochemistry) which my parents whole-heartedly supported.”
One wonders what amount of discipline and dedication would have gone into those hours of riyaz that were put in by her while doing research at BARC alongside. Modestly she acknowledges, “Yes, for 6 years I did the balancing act; although there was good progress, I decided to take up music as a full time activity for a trial period of one year. It is 14 years since, and there has been no looking back.” “I would not have regretted being a scientist either,” beams this woman of substance aptly titled ‘Zee Astitva Woman of 2005’.
Having released first album in 1985, this Libran (October born) is an exemplary professional from whom one can learn a thing or two about time management and compartmentalization. “I believe in giving each activity a full 100%. I put in 3 hours of ‘quality’ practice per day.” But isn’t that too hectic? “At the end of the day, despite the exhaustion, there is a sense of satisfaction”, reflects this articulate and erudite artiste, who was awarded ‘Kumar Gandharv Samman’ by the Madhya Pradesh Government for her contribution to the field of classical music (she is the first female vocalist to have received this honour).
Speaking of the influence of greats such as Vidushi MoguBai Kurdikar, Pandita Kishori Amonkar and Pt. Mallikarjun Mansur on the Jaipur-Athrauli gharana that was founded by Ustad AlladiyaKhan sahib, she reminisces, “We were raised on Kishoritai’s and Moghubaiji’s music. NarayanRao Datarji used to teach me since the age of 5, later for specific taleem on ‘gayaki’ my mother (herself a disciple of Kishoritai) once took me to Moghubaiji requesting for lessons. Instead, Moghubaiji advised my mother to train me – that is when my mother started teaching on a professional level. Since the last 20 years, mother has groomed many a successful artiste”, beams this Sangeet Visharad from the Gandharva Mahavidyalay.”
Responding to a query on her choice of gharana, the doe eyed beauty explains with a twinkle in her eye, “Jaipur-Athrauli is like my staple food, so it was always a preference. Besides, Kishoritai has been a leading light in that she has moulded th Jaipur-Athrauli gayaki (singing technique and style) to suit the female voice perfectly.” Aswini’s tutelage under her current guru, Shri. Ratnakar Pai, bears testimony to her belief in continuous learning - although her students are themselves well on the path to fame.
A huge fan of Kishori Amonkar herself, she says, “Kishoritai has the right blend of concept, emotion and vocal technique”. Ashwini enjoys listening to Lata Mangeshkar, watching Sanjeev Kumar or Madhubala movies when she finds time. Not much of a sports enthusiast, she says that she prefers gymnastics, because it is similar to dance. A vegetarian by birth, she sticks to simple food and confesses her love for ‘dal-chawal’.
Her latest offering to music lovers and students of music is a compilation of 84 Khyal Bandish compositions in various ragas and talas, called “Ragarachananjali” (by Rajhams publishers) written in Hindi. Accompanied with an illustrative CD, this brilliant work is truly a gift to every singer wishing to expand his or her repertoire of ragas and bandishes.
To the stereotype that classical music is more for spirituality and tranquility, she says, “Yes our music is meditative and soothing, but it is also good fun!” “Classical music is comparable to a diamond; it gives a different shine from each of its facets”, says this ‘empress of melody’, giving her pearls of wisdom.
Being the daughter of a vocalist like Smt. Manik Bhide, Ashwini had a great family background for the pursuit of music. Nevertheless, there was never any pressure or expectation from parents she says, adding, “My brother and I, were always good at studies and music – but the choice was clearly ours (parents never imposed their aspirations on us). My decision to take up music as a profession came much later (after I had acquired my graduation in Microbiology and PhD in Biochemistry) which my parents whole-heartedly supported.”
One wonders what amount of discipline and dedication would have gone into those hours of riyaz that were put in by her while doing research at BARC alongside. Modestly she acknowledges, “Yes, for 6 years I did the balancing act; although there was good progress, I decided to take up music as a full time activity for a trial period of one year. It is 14 years since, and there has been no looking back.” “I would not have regretted being a scientist either,” beams this woman of substance aptly titled ‘Zee Astitva Woman of 2005’.
Having released first album in 1985, this Libran (October born) is an exemplary professional from whom one can learn a thing or two about time management and compartmentalization. “I believe in giving each activity a full 100%. I put in 3 hours of ‘quality’ practice per day.” But isn’t that too hectic? “At the end of the day, despite the exhaustion, there is a sense of satisfaction”, reflects this articulate and erudite artiste, who was awarded ‘Kumar Gandharv Samman’ by the Madhya Pradesh Government for her contribution to the field of classical music (she is the first female vocalist to have received this honour).
Speaking of the influence of greats such as Vidushi MoguBai Kurdikar, Pandita Kishori Amonkar and Pt. Mallikarjun Mansur on the Jaipur-Athrauli gharana that was founded by Ustad AlladiyaKhan sahib, she reminisces, “We were raised on Kishoritai’s and Moghubaiji’s music. NarayanRao Datarji used to teach me since the age of 5, later for specific taleem on ‘gayaki’ my mother (herself a disciple of Kishoritai) once took me to Moghubaiji requesting for lessons. Instead, Moghubaiji advised my mother to train me – that is when my mother started teaching on a professional level. Since the last 20 years, mother has groomed many a successful artiste”, beams this Sangeet Visharad from the Gandharva Mahavidyalay.”
Responding to a query on her choice of gharana, the doe eyed beauty explains with a twinkle in her eye, “Jaipur-Athrauli is like my staple food, so it was always a preference. Besides, Kishoritai has been a leading light in that she has moulded th Jaipur-Athrauli gayaki (singing technique and style) to suit the female voice perfectly.” Aswini’s tutelage under her current guru, Shri. Ratnakar Pai, bears testimony to her belief in continuous learning - although her students are themselves well on the path to fame.
A huge fan of Kishori Amonkar herself, she says, “Kishoritai has the right blend of concept, emotion and vocal technique”. Ashwini enjoys listening to Lata Mangeshkar, watching Sanjeev Kumar or Madhubala movies when she finds time. Not much of a sports enthusiast, she says that she prefers gymnastics, because it is similar to dance. A vegetarian by birth, she sticks to simple food and confesses her love for ‘dal-chawal’.
Her latest offering to music lovers and students of music is a compilation of 84 Khyal Bandish compositions in various ragas and talas, called “Ragarachananjali” (by Rajhams publishers) written in Hindi. Accompanied with an illustrative CD, this brilliant work is truly a gift to every singer wishing to expand his or her repertoire of ragas and bandishes.
To the stereotype that classical music is more for spirituality and tranquility, she says, “Yes our music is meditative and soothing, but it is also good fun!” “Classical music is comparable to a diamond; it gives a different shine from each of its facets”, says this ‘empress of melody’, giving her pearls of wisdom.
- Smita Bellur
Labels: Vidushi Ashwini Bhide Speaks - “There is no alternative to being proficient”
posted by Smita Bellur at 8:51 AM
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