Umayalpuram Sivaraman awarded doctorate

vignesh_Rasika · Post by **vignesh_Rasika** » 14 Jan 2010, 19:52

The University of Kerala presented the honorary degree of Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) to filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, actor Mammootty and mridangam maestro Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman.

http://www.thehindu.com/2010/01/14/stor ... 540900.htm

Congrats.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 14 Jan 2010, 20:24

I wonder why Doctor of Letters? Oh well, I don't understand these obscure university matters, and what difference does it make... Any honour is richly deserved by this great musician. Congratulations!

thanjavooran · Post by **thanjavooran** » 15 Jan 2010, 04:55

Congrats! Dr. UKS

Thanjavooran

mridhangam · Post by **mridhangam** » 18 Jan 2010, 17:03

nick H wrote:I wonder why Doctor of Letters? Oh well, I don't understand these obscure university matters, and what difference does it make... Any honour is richly deserved by this great musician. Congratulations!

We mridangists also deal with Sollus na (means syllables which form letters and words). So D.Litt is Porutham only ...

J.Balaji

srkris · Post by **srkris** » 18 Jan 2010, 18:06

The only thing that makes sense is that a filmmaker, an actor and a mridangist, all don't have anything to do with a D.Litt, so it is equally irrelevant to all of them.

But as Nick said, the fact that he is honoured is enough for our congratulations.

ragam-talam · Post by **ragam-talam** » 18 Jan 2010, 23:15

hope this clarifies...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_of_Letters
"In the United Kingdom, Australia, India and certain other countries, the degree is a higher doctorate, above the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and is issued on the basis of a long record of research and publication...
The degree may also be awarded honoris causa to such people the university in question deems worthy."

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 18 Jan 2010, 23:41

Thanks, r-t. I had a suspicion that might be the case.

Come to think of it, I've known a few Ph.Ds --- but most were scientists, not philosophers!

babaji · Post by **babaji** » 25 Jan 2010, 10:08

What better person to receive this award for his vast contribution to mrudangam and that too a performer of verve even today.Sivaraman sir simply blows me away by his physical appearence as much as he blows my mind with his high octane and trailblazing garland of rhythms.