Nine-time Grammy-nominated sitarist, producer, film composer and impassioned activist Anoushka Shankar will be awarded an Honorary Degree from the University of Oxford, it was announced recently.

The prestigious recognition is being conferred "in recognition of her outstanding achievements within the music industry” and underscores Anoushka's profound influence on the global music landscape and her unwavering commitment to bridging cultural divides through her art. In a noteworthy first, Anoushka achieves the distinction of being the first musician of Indian origin to be conferred with this coveted honour.

Anoushka Shankar shares, “This is truly a pinch-me moment in my career; I never even dreamed I might receive an honour such as this, let alone from one of the most prestigious Universities in the world. I am deeply grateful to Oxford University for conferring me with an Honorary Degree. I also feel reflective and grateful for all my past teachers that got me to this point: I was fortunate to have had the most precious education in music under the guidance of my father, and unbelievable coaching and support in my career aged thirteen onwards from my mother. This is all thanks to them.”

Anoushka will be awarded her degree on 19^th June at the world-famous university's annual Encaenia academic ceremony alongside Warren East, Sir Demis Hassabis, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Sir Michael Palin and Professor Salim Yusuf as part of a total 2024 cohort of six honorary degrees.

On the recent professional front, Anoushka has released the first two instalments of her mini-album trilogy with Chapter I: Forever, For Now in October of last year followed by Chapter II: How Dark It Is Before Dawn in April this year. March 2024 saw the release of her duet A Rock Somewhere with six-time Grammy(logo) Award-winning British musician Jacob Collier as part of his latest album Djesse Vol. 4.

Currently in her 30th year of performing live as a sitarist, she has been on an extensive global tour across four continents during the 2023-24 season, delivering monumental performances in sold-out venues including Sydney Opera House, Delhi’s Siri Fort, Toronto’s Koerner Hall, Pioneer Works in New York, Philharmonie de Paris and the Barbican, London.