Hindustani Vocal Duet By Sanjeev Abhayankar & Ashwini Bhide: Events in Hyderabad

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People handpicked by Pandit Jasraj do not need an introduction. We still can't help ourselves. And we're still inarticulate compared to the audiences at the Nizam College Grounds.

On the occasion of the 34th Annual Pandit Motiram Pandit Maniram Sangeet Samaroh from 30th November to 3rd December, the Department of Culture is organising a Hindustani vocal duet by Ashwini Bhide Deshpande and Sanjeev Abhyankar today at the Nizam College grounds.

Ashwini Bhide Deshpande (born in 1960) is a Hindustani classical music singer in the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana tradition. She started learning music from Pandit Narayanrao Datar at the age of 7. She went on to graduate with a Sangeet Visharad from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya.

Her mother, Manik Bhide, also a Khayal singer, became her mentor. Ashwini combined her mother's style with her own touch. Currently she is under the tutelage of Pandit Ratnakar Pai, a veteran of the Jaipur gharana.

Ashwini performed at many of the major music festivals and conferences, such as the Gunidas Sangeet Sammelan, the Dover Lane Music Conference, the Tansen Festival and the ITCSRA Sangeet Sammelan. She has made numerous concert tours of the US, Europe, Australia and Japan. Ashwini is an A-Grade artist of the All-India Radio, and also has a Ph D in Biochemistry.

Sanjeev Abhyankar belongs to the Mewati Gharana, and is an artist of international acclaim in the field of Hindustani classical music. An extremely popular artist, he is an inspiration for the young generation. He is credited with attracting the young generation towards Indian Classical music, by his magical singing.

Blessed with an exceptionally sweet voice, he had his vocation in life clear right from the age of 3. Born in 1969, he started learning Hindustani classical music from the age of 8. He has been groomed by his mother Shobha Abhyankar, Pandit Pimpalkhare and Padma Vibhushan Pandit Jasraj.

Sanjeev rendered his first stage performance in Mumbai at the age of 11, and since then has travelled extensively all over the country, performing in all the prestigious conferences and art circles. He has toured the USA, Canada, Australia, Europe, Seychelles and the Middle East, for his concerts and enthralled music lovers with his magical singing. He has rendered his voice for films such as Maachis, Nidaan, Sanshodhan, Godmother, Maqbool, Bhet and Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar.

In memory of his late father Pandit Motiram and brother Pandit Maniram, Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj organises a music festival every year at the Nizam College grounds, where his father and brother taught music to several students. The entry to the samaroh is free.

Please contact the Department of Culture at 2324-2482 for further details.