Indian Carnatic classical vocalist appointed as the visiting professor at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Image by Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

A Bangalore-based Carnatic classical vocalist has been announced as the visiting professor for the Chair of Indian Music at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Dr Radhika Balakrishnan, who has been performing since 2006, will take on the role for one semester and is set to participate in a public research seminar on ‘the historic journey and significance of Nadaswaram’, which is a wind instrument known to be the most ancient and unique instruments of South India. The seminar will take place at the conservatoire on March 21.

According to reports, the Chair of Indian Music was set up by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) at Birmingham City University/Royal Birmingham Conservatoire to promote cultural exchanges.

Dr Balakrishnan graduated from the University of Mysore with the highest number of awards in 2007 under the guidance of her Guru Dr RN Sreelatha. She is also the associate professor and content creator in the Carnatic Vocal Department at Shankar Mahadevan Academy.

She spoke to the Times of India and thanked the ICCR for choosing her to “introduce Indian classical music and culture on such a prestigious global platform” adding that she hopes India’s classical music is deeply appreciated by upcoming western musicians.