British varsity to confer honorary doctorate on AR Rahman

Music maestro and double-Oscar winner A R Rahman will be awarded an honorary doctorate by a British university in July, his musical institution's operational head said yesterday.

"The degree will be conferred upon Rahman during a graduation ceremony of the Middlesex University in London," said T Selvakumar, managing director of Rahman's K M Music Conservatory.

Rahman's conservatory, which trains students in both Indian and Western music, is in talks with Middlesex University to develop a bachelor's programme in music.

"Our aim is to enroll students into a graduation course starting January 2010. The course will last three years, of which the first two will be completed here," said Selvakumar.