A R Rahman to receive honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music

Washington: In recognition of his two-decades-long musical legacy, the prestigious Berklee College of Music is all set to honour Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman with an honorary doctorate. The honour will be conferred on Rahman, 47, best known globally for the original scores and songs in 'Slumdog Millionaire', '127 Hours', 'Elizabeth: The Golden Age' and 'Million Dollar Arm', at an event at the Berklee College of Music on October 24, a media statement said.

"I'm deeply moved to receive an honorary doctorate from such a distinguished school which has contributed so much to the world of music," said Rahman.

"I'm especially proud and honoured the college is graciously establishing a scholarship in my name for future generations of musicians to follow their dreams," he added.

Berklee College of Music president Roger H Brown said, "A friend from India described A R Rahman to me as John Williams and Sting rolled into one - a leading film composer and a wildly popular, brilliant songwriter and performer.

"We welcome him to Berklee, where the college and our students look forward to paying our respects." At a concert celebrating his career on October 24, 2014 in Boston, students and faculty will perform songs paying tribute to his distinguished work with Rahman performing alongside them for select pieces.

In addition to the performance, Rahman will conduct a master class at the Berklee Performance Center, the college said in a statement.

In honour of Rahman's new relationship with Berklee, the college will establish a scholarship in his name to help bring students from India to Berklee. All proceeds from the October 24 concert will go toward this scholarship fund, the statement said.