Celebrated Indian singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan has been conferred an honorary doctorate by Birmingham City University (BCU) in recognition of his contribution to music and the arts.
The musician, 56, who is a member of the accomplished Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy trio of music composers, received the honour from the university’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Philip Plowden at a ceremony in Birmingham over the weekend.
Mahadevan said: “This is truly a special moment for me. It’s something new and will take some time for me to digest this feeling. When I started my career, never did I expect that one day I would be awarded a doctorate for music. I am looking forward to some amazing music being created between Indian musicians whom I represent and musicians from the West Midlands.
“We’ve heard musicians from the Conservatoire perform especially for us at our visit and it was just outstanding; I saw a beautiful collaboration that will happen.”
The doctoral ceremony follows a BCU India and West Midlands India Partnership organised visit by Mahadevan to the university’s £400-million campus, featuring state-of-the-art creative industry facilities and schools including the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC). The Bollywood star toured RBC with fellow musicians, including Zakir Hussain, earlier this year, meeting students, staff and partners, and committed to exploring links and opportunities between the Bangalore-based Shankar Mahadevan Academy and the Conservatoire.
The honorary doctorate was announced earlier this year during a trade delegation to Mumbai led by West Midlands Mayor Andy Street.
Mayor Andy Street said: “Given the strength of the Indian diaspora in our region, it’s wonderful to celebrate the 'living bridge' between India and the West Midlands by honouring Shankar Mahadevan – a titan of film and music. I hope it will encourage greater cultural and educational collaboration in the months and years ahead.”
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An accomplished engineer-turned-musician, Mahadevan’s repertoire encompasses Indipop, film, folk and spiritual music as well as Indian classical music, jazz and world music.
*Info: Shankar Mahadevan