Anoushka Shankar will receive one of six honorary doctorates being awarded by the University of Oxford at this year’s Encaenia ceremony. Among the other distinguished individuals receiving the honorary degree are Sir Michael Palin and World Trade Organization director general Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
In their announcement, Oxford University recognised Anoushka's accolade-rich career and her devotion to raising awareness and supporting refugee related causes.
Read the university's statement below.
Anoushka Shankar is a British-Indian-American musician, sitarist, composer and producer. Anoushka began studying the sitar as a child under her father, Ravi Shankar, and made her performing debut aged 13. Since releasing her first solo album at 17, she has made ten studio albums, three live albums and numerous collaborative recordings. Among her accolades are nine Grammy nominations, an Ivor Novello Award nomination, a number of Eastern Eye ACTA awards and a Songlines Best Artist Award. Anoushka frequently works with organisations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and Choose Love, to raise funds and awareness for the refugee crisis. She has also been outspoken about her own experiences, supporting campaigns such as One Billion Rising. Anoushka is an Honorary Member of the Royal Academy of Music and was one of the first female composers to be added to the A-Level music syllabus by one of Britain’s biggest exam boards.
Congratulations to Anoushka and the other recipients of the prestigious honour. Read about them all here.
