This Article is From Jun 14, 2009

Indian-origin musician gets royal recognition in UK

Indian-origin musician gets royal recognition in UK

AFP image

London:

Kuljit Bhamra, who is credited with spearheading the popularity of Bhangra music in the UK is among several leading Indian-origin individuals to be honoured in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Bhamra, 50, has been given the OBE (Order of the British Empire) for services to 'Bhangra and British Asian Music'. He is an influential British Asian musician, having won many musical awards and recorded over two thousand songs to date. Queen's honours list awards were announced on Saturday.

A self-taught composer, producer and tabla player, he is credited with spearheading the Bhangra movement in this country.

Bhamra has worked on film scores for over 15 years, including Bhaji on the Beach, Bend it like Beckham, Alexander the Great, The Guru, A Little Princess, Wings of a Dove, The Four Feathers, Alexander the Great and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Manjula Sood, who until last month was Britain's Asian first woman Lord Mayor in Leicester, has been given the OBE.

Asians honoured include a knighthood for Sri Lanka-origin Sabaratnam Arulkumaran, professor and Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology and President, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

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