Dr. Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande

Dr. Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande is a prominent figure in the realm of Indian classical music, renowned for her exceptional vocal prowess and deep understanding of the traditional musical forms. Born into a family with a rich musical heritage on October 7, 1960, in Mumbai, India, she inherited her passion for music from her father, Shri. Narayanrao Bhide, an accomplished harmonium player and vocalist.

 

From an early age, Dr. Bhide-Deshpande exhibited a keen interest and aptitude for music, which led her to receive formal training in the classical tradition. She was fortunate to study under the guidance of eminent gurus such as Pandit Ratnakar Pai and Pandit Ratnakant Ramnathkar, who imparted to her the nuances and intricacies of the Gwalior and Jaipur-Atrauli gharanas, respectively. Her rigorous training laid a solid foundation for her future endeavors in the field of Indian classical music. 

Dr. Bhide-Deshpande's career as a classical vocalist began to blossom as she embarked on her journey to master the classical repertoire. Her dedication to her craft, coupled with her innate talent, enabled her to carve a niche for herself in the highly competitive world of Indian classical music. Over the years, she has captivated audiences with her soulful renditions and impeccable technique, earning acclaim from both critics and connoisseurs alike. 

One of the defining features of Dr. Bhide-Deshpande's musical style is her ability to infuse her performances with profound emotion and spiritual depth. Her renditions are marked by their authenticity and sincerity, reflecting her deep reverence for the classical tradition. Whether interpreting ancient compositions or improvising within the framework of traditional ragas, she brings a sense of vitality and dynamism to her music that resonates with audiences across generations. 

In addition to her accomplishments as a performer, Dr. Bhide-Deshpande is also a dedicated teacher and scholar, committed to preserving and disseminating the rich heritage of Indian classical music. She holds a Ph.D. in Music from the University of Mumbai, where she conducted extensive research on the compositions of the legendary saint-poet Sant Tukaram. Through her academic work and pedagogical efforts, she has played a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of musicians and fostering a deeper appreciation for the classical arts. 

Throughout her illustrious career, Dr. Bhide-Deshpande has received numerous accolades and honors in recognition of her contributions to Indian classical music. She has been conferred with prestigious awards such as the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Kumar Gandharva National Award, and the Gaanwardhan Award, among others. These accolades serve as a testament to her unparalleled talent and unwavering dedication to her art. 

As she continues to enthrall audiences with her captivating performances and inspire aspiring musicians with her teachings, Dr. Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande remains a towering figure in the world of Indian classical music. Her tireless efforts to preserve and propagate the rich musical heritage of India have earned her a place of honor and respect in the hearts of music lovers worldwide, ensuring that her legacy will endure for generations to come.

Jagjit Singh , Indian Ghazal Singer

Jagjit Singh is a name that has been considered as the Ghazal King. He has been counted one amongst the most popular ghazal singers of the world. Jagjit Singh was born on 8th February, in the year 1941 in Ganganagar, then in Rajputana in British India. He was born to father Sardar Amar Singh Dhiman, who was employed with the Government of India, hailed from Dalla village in Ropar district of Punjab and his mother Bachchan Kaur came from a deeply religious Sikh family of Ottallan village near Samralla. He has four sisters and a brother. Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi languages, and Gujarati language are the languages in which Jagjit Singh has executed songs. 

It was his father's wise decision to become a bureaucrat by joining the Indian Administrative Service. Jagjit Singh studied at Khalsa High School at Ganganagar. After passing matriculation, he studied Sciences from Government College, Ganganagar and went for graduation to DAV College, Jalandhar in arts stream. from Kurukshetra University, Haryana he also obtaind a post-graduate degree in history. But Jagjit Singh's passion for music was with him since his childhood. For two years in Ganganagar he received training in music under the expert tutelage of Pandit Chaganlal Sharma. Then after he consecreted six years to learning Khayal, Thumri and Dhrupad forms of Indian Classical Music from Ustad Jamaal Khan of Sainia Gharana. Acknowledging his talent the Vice Chancellor of Punjab and Kurukshetra University, Late Professor Suraj Bhan supported him to persue music further. 

Jagjit Singh came down to Mumbai in the year 1965 with a dream of establishing himself as a musician and singer as well. He jgot his early assignments to sing for advertisement jingles or executing at weddings and parties. At the time in the 1970s the world of ghazal singing was rulling by the legendary singers like Noor Jehan, Malika Pukhraj, Begum Akhtar,Talat Mahmood and Mehdi Hassan. But with a hardcore struggle Jagjit Singh finally managed to carve a distinct place for himself in the arena. In the year 1976, his first album, The Unforgettables (On HMV LP Records) was a big hit and since then he had never looked back. The album was entirely a ghazal album but the vehemence on melody and a fresh voice like Jagjit Singh can be considered as the jump from the tradition old style of ghazal rendition. 

The tradition old style of ghazal singing can be charecterised as 'heavily based on classical and semi-classical Indian music'. The album was a huge success though it received critical acclaimation, many criticisms. The album set new sales records. After a two year long courtship from the year 1967, finally Jagjit Singh and Chitra Singh got married. It has been said that, 'they epitomise the first successful husband-wife singing team'. The contribution of this singing duo towards altering the course of this genre of music known as 'Ghazal' can be termed as immense. They both together made this genre of music 'Ghazal' more 'ear friendly, melodic and enojoyable'. Ghazal became apprehensible with the execution of this duo. To know more read:

http://www.indianetzone.com/17/jagjit_singh.htm