A dancer, choreographer and artist has been awarded an honorary degree from the University of Salford for her contributions to the cultural industries.

Ria Meera Munshi (pictured above), a Salford alumna, received her Doctor of Arts on Friday in recognition of her numerous achievements as a dancer, choreographer, writer, director, speaker, actor, model, presenter and businesswoman, all whilst facing multiple health conditions.

The BA Performance graduate, 35, who founded the acclaimed Indian-inspired dance and theatre production company Ri Ri’s Dance Academy in April 2011, has built a remarkable career all whilst facing the significant challenge of performing and teaching whilst being diagnosed with Raynaud’s syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease and systemic lupus erythematosus.

The latter was diagnosed only last year and is a long-term condition that causes joint pain, skin rashes and tiredness with no cure available. 

Coupled with the other autoimmune and rheumatic conditions which affect’s Ria’s blood flow and cause serious tiredness, it extenuates her career successes as a performer, first and foremost.

A trained Bharatnatyam dancer, Ria is the holder of a Bollywood Guinness World Record, has worked as a celebrity choreographer for Hollyoaks, featured on Coronation Street as Dr Chatterjee and also performed as the lead in a British Airways India Commercial.

Ria said: “I really believe that by throwing myself into my jobs” target=”_blank”>work, I have been able to fight these conditions and have also allowed my body to heal.

Since the age of 14, I have faced these long-term chronic conditions but faced every day with the resolve that by performing and working to the fullest of my potential that I would be making myself better.”

She added: “I get so much joy seeing someone smile whilst watching me dance and its motivated me to bring more smiles, kindness and love to all through dance, and the arts. I want my work to be magical, colourful and inspirational to others.

Every day, I ask myself the question ‘have I made someone feel positive, have I introduced them to a new feeling, a new culture, a new dance move, did I make them smile?’ 

That’s been my focus every day and that’s got me through it despite the fact my body was dealing with all these conditions at once.”

Ria’s further accolades include co-presenting at the Manchester Cultural Awards, being a guest speaker for the Department for Education and her work with educational, disadvantaged and under-represented groups which led to her receiving the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and a Certificate of Recognition from the British Citizen Award.

Her relationship with the University of Salford has remained intact since graduation with Ria dedicating time over the last 14 years to supporting and taking part in a wide range of University projects.

Ria commented: “I was quite speechless just thinking about it. It felt very surreal!

For any student, I feel that they should always do what they can to keep the relationship going after graduating and I am very grateful to have met so many beautiful people and have hopefully inspired and enriched other people’s lives. 

They have also equally been as inspiring to me.”