By: Vibhuti Pathak
Anoushka Shankar, a British-American sitar player and musician of Indian descent, is set to receive an honorary degree from the University of Oxford in June. Shankar, daughter of Indian sitar maestro Ravi Shankar, has garnered global acclaim for her musical prowess and collaborations with artists such as Sting, Μ.Ι.Α., Herbie Hancock, Arooj Aftab, and Joshua Bell. The honorary degree, awarded for her outstanding achievements in the music industry and her efforts in bridging cultural divides through her art, marks a significant milestone in her career. Shankar expressed her gratitude and excitement, calling the recognition a “pinch-me moment.”
In a noteworthy first, Shankar becomes the first musician of Indian origin to receive this coveted honor from Oxford University. The prestigious degree will be conferred alongside other notable recipients at the university’s annual Encaenia ceremony on June 19. Alongside her musical endeavors, Shankar continues to release new music, with recent collaborations including a duet with British musician Jacob Collier.
