Karnataka’s Dr Radhika Balakrishnan Becomes First Carnatic Vocalist to Receive Honorary Fellowship from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, UK

Global recognition brings Karnataka’s rich Carnatic music tradition to the international stage

Renowned vocalist joins a distinguished lineage of awardees, including celebrated composer John Mayer

Bengaluru, 25th June 2026: Bringing international recognition to Karnataka’s rich classical music heritage, renowned Carnatic vocalist, academic and educator Dr Radhika Balakrishnan has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC), one of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious performing arts institutions.

She is the first Carnatic vocalist to receive an Honorary Fellowship from the Conservatoire. The award was formally presented at a ceremony held at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. The honour recognises Dr Balakrishnan’s significant contributions to arts, culture and education, as well as her work in introducing the depth and sophistication of Carnatic music to students, artists and audiences in the United Kingdom.

The recognition marks a significant moment for Karnataka’s classical arts community. The state has long been one of the principal centres of Carnatic music, with its deep-rooted guru-shishya traditions, influential composers, vibrant performance ecosystem and institutions that have nurtured generations of musicians and teachers.

Dr Balakrishnan’s Fellowship further highlights the continuing global relevance of the Carnatic tradition and the role of Karnataka’s artists and educators in preserving its foundations while enabling it to engage meaningfully with contemporary musical and academic environments.

Dating back almost a century, the Honorary Fellowship places Dr Balakrishnan among an esteemed cohort of recipients who have demonstrated exceptional excellence and made meaningful contributions to their respective fields. Among previous recipients was the late John Mayer (1930–2004) who served as Composer, Professor of Composition at RBC from 1990 to 2004, and a pioneer of Indo-jazz fusion and received the award in 1999. Mayer’s legacy includes commissioning works for major orchestras, mentoring students in Indian music, and directing the BMus degree course in Indian Music, the first of its kind at the institution.

Over more than 15 years, Dr Balakrishnan has brought traditional Carnatic music, infused with contemporary influences, to audiences across India, the United Kingdom and internationally. Her work demonstrates how ancient Indian musical systems can enrich modern conservatoire training and prepare students for careers in an increasingly interconnected creative world. As the inaugural ICCR Chair in Indian Studies at Birmingham City University in 2023, and through her continuing contribution to RBC as a visiting artist and professor, she has also positioned Indian classical music within a broader scholarly and diplomatic framework, strengthening institutional ties between UK higher education and India’s rich cultural heritage. Dr Balakrishnan learned Carnatic music under the tutelage of celebrated vocalist and educator Vidushi Dr. R.N. Sreelatha of the distinguished Rudrapatnam music tradition.

Speaking on her achievement, Stephen Maddock, Principal of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire said, “It gives me great pleasure to honour Radhika with this award. Her achievements as a distinguished Carnatic vocalist and teacher, combined with her unwavering commitment to supporting our students and bringing Indian music into the core of RBC’s work, have been transformative. Radhika embodies the kind of excellence and cultural generosity that we deeply value at the Conservatoire, and we are delighted to recognize her contributions with this prestigious honour.”

Adding to this, Professor Shirley Thompson, Vice Principal (Music), Royal Birmingham Conservatoire stated, “Radhika’s time with us has been nothing short of remarkable. When she joined us as our first Visiting Chair in Indian Music, I could never have predicted the profound impact she would have on both our students and staff. Her passion for sharing the depth and sophistication of Carnatic music, combined with her pedagogical skill and warmth, exemplifies what it means to bridge musical traditions. We are thrilled that she has continued her involvement with RBC, and this honour is thoroughly deserved.”

In her own words Dr Radhika Balakrishnan says that “Receiving the Honorary Fellowship of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is an honour that extends far beyond me. It represents recognition for the transformative power of Indian classical music in global artistic discourse. For centuries, Carnatic music has embodied a philosophy of learning, growth, and human connection. My work here at RBC has been about demonstrating that these ancient Indian music traditions as living, breathing systems of knowledge that can enrich and inspire the next generation of musicians and artists. This award affirms what I have always believed: that great music transcends geography, language, and culture. I am grateful to the entire RBC community for welcoming Indian classical music with such genuine curiosity and commitment. Together, we are writing a new chapter in how the world’s musical traditions can speak to, learn from, and ultimately strengthen one another.”

Dr Balakrishnan’s Fellowship reflects the Conservatoire’s continued commitment to recognising excellence and celebrating contributions to the broader cultural landscape. She joins a distinguished lineage of artists, educators and cultural practitioners whose work has enriched the institution and the wider creative community.

About Dr Radhika Balakrishnan

Dr Radhika Balakrishnan is a distinguished Carnatic vocalist, academic, and cultural bridge-builder with over 15 years of professional experience. She has performed and taught across India, the United Kingdom, and internationally, bringing classical Indian music to diverse audiences while mentoring the next generation of musicians. She has also served as Senior Professor at Shankar Mahadevan Academy where she contributed to the content and curriculum, as well as teaching and inspiring students to reach a high level of practice and performance of Carnatic classical music. As the inaugural ICCR Chair in Indian Studies at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, part of Birmingham City University (January to July 2023), and through her ongoing work as visiting artist and professor at the Conservatoire, she has been instrumental in positioning Indian classical traditions within contemporary music education.

About Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

With a history dating back to 1859, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire has a longstanding reputation for producing high calibre graduates who fulfil their creative and professional aspirations. The Conservatoire’s £57 million building is located on our City Centre Campus and is home to our Music courses as well as the Bradshaw Hall and Eastside Jazz Club.