Ties between British and Indian musicians were boosted this week with a visit by four classical music superstars to Royal Birmingham Conservatoire - who told the audience that ‘music has the power to change your life in a way you couldn’t even imagine’.
Tabla supremo Zakir Hussain, acclaimed singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan, leading flautist Rakesh Chaurasia, and legendary keyboardist and producer Louiz Banks met staff, students, diplomats, MPs and business leaders including the Indian Consul General of India Dr Shashank Vikram and Preet Kaur Gill MP at the world-renowned centre of music, based at Birmingham City University.
The visit, organised by BCU India and West Midlands India Partnership, saw the artists – who are known to hundreds of millions of fans in their home country and across the globe – share advice and stories with a captivated audience in the Conservatoire’s Bradshaw Hall, before enjoying performances from RBC percussion and brass students.
Preet Kaur Gill, MP for Birmingham Edgbaston said, “What an absolute honour to meet the four great Indian Maestros - Zakir Hussain, Shankar Mahadevan, Rakesh Chaurasia and Louiz Banks, who gave an incredible performance. My sincere thanks go to Birmingham City University for helping us to continue to build such links between British and Indian musicians.”