Ravi Shankar honoured in new University of Melbourne scholarship

The University of Melbourne will establish a new scholarship in honour of renowned Indian composer and performer, Dr Ravi Shankar.

The Ravi Shankar Scholarship for World Music will support an international Masters applicant who is deemed to be an outstanding music scholar or performer with AUD$15,000 in tuition fee help over the durations of their degree.

The  scholarship was announced at Ozfest in New Delhi, India, by the Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard on her 3-day visit to the country.

It will be jointly administered by the Australia India Institute, based at the University of Melbourne, and the Faculty of the Victorian College of the Arts and Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.

Faculty Dean Professor Barry Conyngham said he was delighted by the new scholarship.

“As a musician and composer myself, I deeply respect and admire Dr Ravi Shankar’s musical legacy as the world’s most influential contemporary Indian musician,” he said.

“It’s an honour to be able to help celebrate his impact on world music, which saw him playing and teaching with violinist Yehudi Menuhin and The Beatles.”

Dr Shankar also composed for ballet and films in India, Canada, Europe and the United States.  His composition for the film Gandhi earned him an Academy Award nomination.

In 2010 the University of Melbourne awarded  Ravi  Shankar the degree of Doctor of Laws  honoris causa, which recognises people who are distinguished by eminent public service or outstanding cultural achievement.

OzFest ”” where the Scholarship was announced ”” is a cultural exchange dialogue lasting four months, and supported by the University of Melbourne and the Australia India Institute.

It features 100 cultural, business, education, science and political events across 18 cities.

 

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