Singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan receives honorary doctorate in UK

Birmingham City University (BCU) in England has bestowed an honorary degree on renowned singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan. The renowned honour is in acknowledgment of his significant contributions to music and the arts. Shankar Mahadevan, 56 years old, is a prominent member of the highly accomplished music composing trio known as Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. Professor Philip Plowden, Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham City University, presented him with an honorary doctorate during a ceremony in Birmingham.

Overview of the news:

• Following an organized visit by Mahadevan to Birmingham City University’s state-of-the-art campus, which boasts cutting-edge facilities for the creative industry, including the renowned Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC), a doctoral ceremony was conducted. The BCU India and West Midlands India Partnership programme resulted in this occasion. The university’s campus, worth GBP 400 million, served as an appropriate background for the visit and ceremony.
• Earlier this year, the renowned Bollywood actor visited the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC) alongside fellow musicians, including Zakir Hussain. During the visit, they had the opportunity to engage with students, staff, and partners of the conservatoire. The visit’s goal was to forge relationships and explore future cooperation between the Shankar Mahadevan Academy in Bangalore and the RBC.
• Shankar Mahadevan, who originally pursued a career in engineering before becoming a successful musician, possesses a diverse repertoire that spans across various genres. Indipop, film music, folk and spiritual compositions, Indian classical music, jazz, and world music are among his musical accomplishments. Recognizing his remarkable achievements in the field of arts, he was honored with the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2019.