540 students will graduate from Music University on January 18

Prof. Nagesh V. Bettakote, Vice Chancellor, Karnataka State Dr. Gangubai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University, speaking to the media in Mysuru on Thursday. Dr. MG Manjunath, Registrar (Evaluation), was present on the occasion. | Photo Credit: MA SRIRAM

Karnataka State Dr. Gagnubai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University will award degrees to 540 students during the convocation to be held here on January 18.

The music varsity makes 7^th8^thand 9^th The conference is one day, and 180 students in each group will receive their degrees, said Dr. Nagesh V. Bettakote, Vice-Chancellor of the music varsity, here on Thursday.

He told the media that the 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 conferences are being held at the same time. Apart from awarding degrees to students, the varsity will also award honorary degrees to nine people for their contribution to the field of classical arts and theatre.

The recipients are Sathyanarayana Raju (Indian classical dance), C. Chelavaraju (Mridangam), Girja Lokesh (theatre artist), Sandya Purecha (Indian classical dance), MR Satyanarayana (Gamaka), Sadhu Kokila (Performing Arts), Veena Murthy Vijay (dance), Pushpa Srinivasan (Carnatic music) and C. Basavalingaiah (theatre).

This call will also see 27 students nominated in different courses sharing 69 gold medals, while 14 will receive a post-doctoral D. Litt. degrees, said Prof. Bettakote.

The conference will be held at the varsity campus in Lakshmipuram. Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot, who is also the Chancellor of the music university, will preside over the event. Prof. Srinivas Varakhedi, Vice-Chancellor, Sanskrit University, Delhi, will be the chief guest and deliver the convocation address. Dr. MC Sudhakar, Minister of Higher Education, and the Pro-Chancellor will be present on the occasion.

Professor Bettakote said the University of Music has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with up to 70 institutions across the Government this year, and students who enroll in various courses this academic year will be able to participate in the call in the future.

In response to a question, the Vice Chancellor said that compared to normal universities, the number of students studying at a music institution tends to be small, so conferences for three years are held in groups. But these numbers will increase in the coming years considering the MoUs entered into by the varsity.

When he gave the honorary doctorate, Prof. But since the music center has completed its three-year convocations, nine people – three each year – will be awarded doctorates.

Among the graduates, Ms. Vijayshree has bagged nine gold medals in Carnatic music for the year 2021-22; Ms LPBindu won six gold medals in the 2022-23 Hindustani category; and Ms. Keerthana bagged five gold medals in the Carnatic category. Similarly, KR Ashwini won six golds in Carnatic, while Manoj won six golds in Hindustani, said Prof. Bettakote.