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

~ Renowned Indian classical musician joins a distinguished lineage of awardees, including celebrated composer John Mayer ~

~ Recognition honours her contribution to music, cultural exchange and contemporary arts education ~

India, 25^th June 2026: In a landmark moment for Indian classical music on the global stage, 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 bringing Indian classical music into contemporary global learning 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.

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 award 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.

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

फिल्म ‘शेल्टर होम’ की शूटिंग के दौरान फूट-फूटकर रो पड़ीं अभिनेत्री दिव्या त्यागी, दर्दनाक सीन ने झकझोर दिया पूरा सेट

— कुछ किरदार केवल अभिनय के लिए नहीं होते, वे आत्मा को छू जाते हैं : दिव्या त्यागी

पटना। बॉलीवुड और ओटीटी की उभरती हुई अभिनेत्री दिव्या त्यागी अपनी बहुप्रतीक्षित फिल्म ‘शेल्टर होम’ को लेकर सुर्खियों में हैं। समाज के सबसे कमजोर और बेसहारा तबके की पीड़ा को पर्दे पर उतारने वाली इस फिल्म की सेंसर कॉपी मिल चुकी है, लेकिन टीज़र की सेंसर कॉपी अभी तक जारी नहीं होने के कारण फिल्म की आधिकारिक रिलीज़ डेट की घोषणा नहीं हो पाई है।

फिल्म की शूटिंग के दौरान एक ऐसा भावनात्मक क्षण सामने आया जिसने पूरे सेट को भावुक कर दिया। फिल्म के एक महत्वपूर्ण दृश्य में एक ऐसे शेल्टर होम की भयावह सच्चाई दिखाई जा रही थी, जहां मासूम बच्चों को प्रताड़नाओं का सामना करना पड़ता है। इस दृश्य में दिव्या त्यागी को एक बेहद मार्मिक मोनोलॉग बोलना था।

जैसे ही फ़िल्म के निर्देशक ने रोल कैमरा, एक्शन कहा, दिव्या अपने किरदार में पूरी तरह समा गईं। बिना किसी ग्लिसरीन के उन्होंने दर्द और बेबसी को इतने वास्तविक अंदाज में पर्दे पर उतारा कि कुछ ही देर में उनकी आंखों से आंसू बहने लगे। सीन के दौरान उनकी आवाज भर्रा गई और पूरा सेट खामोशी में डूब गया।

शॉट खत्म होने और निर्देशक के कट बोलने के बाद भी दिव्या खुद को संभाल नहीं सकीं। वह सेट के एक कोने में बैठकर काफी देर तक रोती रहीं। उनकी भावनात्मक स्थिति को देखकर सह-कलाकार, निर्देशक और क्रू मेंबर्स तुरंत उनके पास पहुंचे। महिला क्रू सदस्यों ने उन्हें संभाला और शांत कराने की कोशिश की। इस दृश्य को देखने वाले कई लोगों की आंखें भी नम हो गईं।

दिव्या त्यागी ने कहा कि कुछ किरदार केवल अभिनय के लिए नहीं होते, वे आपकी आत्मा को छू जाते हैं। शेल्टर होम की स्क्रिप्ट पढ़ते ही मेरी रूह कांप गई थी। कैमरे के सामने मुझे लगा कि मैं किसी किरदार को नहीं निभा रही, बल्कि उन लोगों का दर्द जी रही हूं जिनके पास न घर है, न अपना कोई सहारा। उन्होंने कहा कि दुनिया में लाखों ऐसे लोग हैं जो अकेलेपन और उपेक्षा का जीवन जीने को मजबूर हैं। उनके दर्द को महसूस करना मेरे लिए बेहद भावनात्मक अनुभव रहा।

अपने किरदार को बेहतर ढंग से समझने के लिए दिव्या ने कई वास्तविक शेल्टर होम्स का दौरा किया और वहां रह रहे लोगों की जिंदगी को करीब से जाना। यही वजह रही कि फिल्म की शूटिंग के दौरान वह किरदार के दर्द से खुद को अलग नहीं कर सकी।

सच्ची और दर्दनाक घटनाओं से प्रेरित यह फिल्म समाज के उस कड़वे सच को सामने लाने का दावा करती है, जिस पर अक्सर चर्चा नहीं होती। दर्शकों को अब फिल्म के ऑफिशियल ट्रेलर और रिलीज़ डेट की घोषणा का बेसब्री से इंतजार है। फिल्म जगत में चर्चा है कि रिलीज़ के बाद शेल्टर होम दर्शकों के दिलों को झकझोरने वाली साबित हो सकती है।

 

फिल्म ‘शेल्टर होम’ की शूटिंग के दौरान फूट-फूटकर रो पड़ीं अभिनेत्री दिव्या त्यागी, दर्दनाक सीन ने झकझोर दिया पूरा सेट

Shabnam Khan (Khushi) Is The Production Advisor And Creative Partner Of The Hiten Tejwani-Starrer Web Series “Chhodo Yaar Jaane Do”

The web series “Chhodo Yaar Jaane Do,” starring renowned TV actor Hiten Tejwani and several other actors, has been released and is receiving a positive response.

This 6-episode web series, based on laughter, emotions, love, politics, and the untold world of PHC, is worth watching. All episodes are available simultaneously on Digital Filming OTT Originals.

The series’ creator and director, Samar K. Mukherjee, is a well-known producer and director. He has worked extensively in the film industry and has a long-standing production house. Shabnam Khan (Khushi), the series’ production advisor and creative partner, said, “I heartily congratulate the entire team of this web series, including director Samar K. Mukherjee. This series has been created to convey a message based on a social issue.”  This series beautifully depicts the fact that many schemes fail to reach people properly. The tagline of this web series is “It was a matter of friendship, but it reached the level of love.”

A well-known name in this series is Shabnam Khan, who hails from Jaipur, the Pink City of Rajasthan, and has been working for many years. She is not only a producer and writer, but also a talented artist and social worker. As an actress, she frequently appears in music videos, and now people are liking the web series Chhodo Yaar Jaane Do.

Shabnam Khan, who began her career on DD One, has achieved this position after much struggle. She has spoken about her struggles in numerous media interviews. Despite being an outsider, she established her own production house and is doing very well.

Shabnam Khan will soon be seen in a music video, the song has been recorded and preparations for its shoot are underway.

STARRING : Hiten Tejwani, Daisy Bopanna, Anant Jog, Prince Dua, mSurojeet Chatterjee, Shahnawaz Alam, Shilpi Banerjee, Amar Kumar Mukherjee, Akhilesh Shukla, Anand Srivastava, Rashmi Sharma, Sachin Srivastava, Sunil Katiyar, Raj Vardhan Singh, Shadab Rahbar Khan, Virendra Chauhan (Nirahu), Meenakshi Dixit, Subhajit Dutta & Ensemble Cast.

CREW :

Created & Directed By Samar K Mukherjee

Produced By:

Epik Series Productions

Hariharan (IFTA)

Sweta Mukherjee (DDC)

Story – Imran

Screenplay & Dialogues – Shakeel Quresi

Director of Photography – Mohasin Shaikh

Editor – Moh. Suhel

Music & Original Background Score – Meemo

Production Advisor – Shabnam Khan (Khushi)

 

Shabnam Khan (Khushi) Is The Production Advisor And Creative Partner Of The Hiten Tejwani-Starrer Web Series “Chhodo Yaar Jaane Do”

Mohit M Rai And Aishyana Rai’s Film ‘Sweater’ Is A Story Of Dreams, Determination And Hope

Mumbai. Mohit M. Rai and Aishyana Rai’s film ‘Sweater’ is a heartwarming tale of dreams and hope.

hope. ‘Sweater’ is produced by Mohit M Rai and Aishyana Rai under the banner of Kritarth Production   and directed by Mohit M. Rai, the film ‘Sweater’ is written by Mohit M. Rai and Aishyana Rai. ‘Sweater’ depicts the inspiring journey of a determined girl living in a mountain village with her single mother. Despite facing financial hardships, she grows up learning the true value of courage, sacrifice, and hope. She becomes captivated by a sweater displayed in a local market and dreams of making it her own.

Set against the serene backdrop of the mountains, the film beautifully portrays the challenges of village life, the emotional bond between a mother and daughter, and the unwavering determination of a child who refuses to give up on her dreams. The film was shot in locations such as Uttarakhand, Champawat, Bheemtal, Devidhura, Harsil, Anarpha Village, Uttarkashi. Lead actress Aishyana Rai delivers a powerful performance in the film.

It is worth noting that Mohit M. Rai is a visionary director, writer, and producer, known for his passion for storytelling and creativity. A graduate of Delhi University, Mohit initially aspired to a career in scientific research, but life led him into the world of cinema. Driven by curiosity and a deep desire to understand human emotions and society, Mohit views filmmaking itself as a form of research. He creates stories that provoke thought and forge emotional connections with the audience.

Notably, Aishyana Rai is not only an actress and writer but also a producer, recognized for her commanding screen presence and passion for storytelling. With a strong foundation in the performing arts, she began her creative journey while pursuing an MBA in Bangalore. Aishyana has trained in acting, writing, and dance. Before fully embracing her creative career, she gained professional experience working with leading IT companies in the corporate sector.

  

Mohit M Rai And Aishyana Rai’s Film ‘Sweater’ Is A Story Of Dreams, Determination And Hope