A Hindustani Classical Vocal Concert featuring Vidushi Dr. Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande

Date: Saturday, April 4, 2026, 5:00 PM EDT

Venue: SV Lotus Temple

12501 Braddock Rd., Fairfax VA 22030

$50.00 per ticket

Tabla: Shri. Sanjay Deshpande

Harmonium: Shri Siddhesh Bicholkar

Vidushi Dr. Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande

Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande is a distinguished Indian classical vocalist of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana in the Hindustani music tradition. Born into a musically inclined family, she received her initial training from her mother, Manik Bhide, who was a disciple of the Jaipur-Atrauli lineage. She later trained under the legendary vocalist Kishori Amonkar, whose influence further shaped her nuanced and introspective style of singing.

Known for her intellectual depth and command over complex ragas, Bhide-Deshpande is celebrated for presenting rare and intricate compositions with clarity and emotional sensitivity. Her performances are marked by meticulous raga development, strong layakari (rhythmic interplay), and a refined aesthetic that reflects the core principles of the Jaipur-Atrauli tradition. Over the years, she has performed at major music festivals in India and internationally, earning widespread acclaim.

In addition to her musical accomplishments, she holds a doctorate in Biochemistry, demonstrating her academic rigor alongside her artistic pursuits. She has also contributed to music education through workshops, lecture-demonstrations, and mentoring students, helping preserve and propagate the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana.

Her contributions to Indian classical music have been recognized with numerous honors, including the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. Through her performances, recordings, and teaching, Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande continues to be a leading figure in contemporary Hindustani classical music.

Shri Sanjay Deshpande

Sanjay Deshpande is a talented Tabla Player based in Pune, INDIA. He was born in a music loving family and was introduced to the art of playing Tabla under Late Pt. Sabade at Pune Bharat Gayan Samaj. Later he took Taleem (lessons) from the renowned Tabla player Pt. Suresh Talwalkar of  Delhi-Farookabad  Gharana, in a Guru Shishya Parampara .He also had the privilege of understanding the beauty of Punjab Gharana  under the guidance of  world renowned Tabla maestro Ustad. AllaRakha Khan Saheb and Pt.Yogesh Samsi. At present he is taking Taleem from Pt. Vivek Joshi.

​Sanjay is recipient of the coveted “Ahmedjaan Thirakwaa Scholarship” for Solo Performance. He has accompanied renowned artists like Smt. Vasundhara Komkali, Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar, Pt. Smt. Malini Rajurkar, Pt. Jasraj, Dr. Prabha Atre, Pt. DinkarKaikini, Dr. Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande , Smt. Veena Sahastrabudhe and many such great artists.

He has performed in major conferences such as Sawai Gandharwa Music FestivalPune, Paluskar Smarak Conference, Shankarlal Samaroha in New Delhi, I.T.C. Sangeet Sammelan . Dowerlane Conference, Kolkata.

Sanjay has performed abroad in Countries like U.S.A, U.K, U.A.E,Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Russia, Belgim, Holland, Qatar, Israel, South Korea etc. He has also participated in the “World Vocal Festival” in  Sweden.

He is empanelled as GURU at the Lalit Kala Kendra, University of Pune and Bharati Vidyapeeth Pune. He has number of  recordings released. His fusion album “Wind From Ayuta” with Korean musicians won the Best album award of the year - 2002 in South Korea.

Shri Siddhesh Bicholkar

Siddhesh was privileged to receive guidance from his First Guru, Shri Sharad Mathkar in Goa and later placed under the tutelage of Pt. Tulsidas Borkar, a renowned Harmonium exponent and Guru.

The difficult and lesser known art of Jaltarang was taken up by Siddhesh with inspiration from Shri Sharad Mathkar, who personally crafted his first set of Jaltarang apparatus. Siddhesh gained valuable knowlegde about Instrumental recitals and depths of Classical Music from Pt. Tulsidas Borkar, enabling Siddhesh to present Jaltarang Recitals, a very rare occurence in Indian Classical Music.

He has been the recipient of many eminent music scholarships including accolades by the Govt.of India and its H.R.D. Ministry. He is presently employed as a classical music teacher at Sharda Sangeet Vidyalaya, Mumbai.