Sharmila Tagore gets honorary doctorate

Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore has been awarded honorary Doctorate of Arts by the Edinburgh Napier University for her outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.

The 67-year-old, the great-grandniece of noted poet Rabindranath Tagore, received the honour Thursday.

"It is indeed a privilege to be conferred an Honorary Degree by Edinburgh Napier University. It recognises the significant influence of Indian Cinema on the global cultural arena and the small role that I have played in its history. As we celebrate a hundred years of Indian Cinema, this is both a happy and humbling moment," Sharmila said in a statement.

The honour comes just months after the university's Institute for Creative Industries opened the Scottish Centre for Tagore Studies (SCoTS), the first centre of its kind in Britain.

SCoTS promotes Indian culture, education, philosophy, art and literature by highlighting the legacy of Rabindranath Tagore, the first Asian to win the Nobel Prize for literature in 1913.

"Sharmila has had an astonishing career and her films are enjoyed all over the world. She is an excellent ambassador for Indian culture and at the same time, through her various charity endeavours, is a strong advocate for the educational rights of children in India," said Dame Joan Stringer, principal and vice-chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University.

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Sharmila Tagore off to get her Doctorate from Edinburgh

Son Saif Ali Khan's wedding celebration completed, the lovely Sharmila Tagore now sets out on another mission. She will be awarded an honorary doctorate by the Napier University on 25 October.

Quite an achievement for someone who dropped out of college before graduation to pursue a career as an actor.

From Edinburgh Sharmila shall proceed to London and Prague to visit her late husband the Nawab of Pataudi's friends.

Said the lovely Ms Tagore, `This honour means a lot to me since I chose not to educate myself through the conventional route of institution-based learning. It proves one can be self-taught. I dropped out of college before graduation. I opted to begin work as an actress. `

The actress, known to have a discernibly intellectual image feels education need not come from a college. `The fact that I am getting a doctorate in spite of being a college drop-out proves that the world can be your university. If you seek learning, it meets you somewhere down the road.

I am not saying education is not important. It is essential for emotional and intellectual growth. But it needn't come from academic textbooks. `

Sharmila, exhausted after the family wedding, left for the UK on Monday with a heavy heart. The death of Yash Chopra left her saddened. `Yash had written a letter to me saying he was shooting abroad and couldn't come for the wedding reception.

Then comes this devastating news. I've lost another friend. That's another link with the past broken. My heart goes out to the family.

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I haven't decided on my dress for Saif's wedding: Sharmila

Yesteryear actress Sharmila Tagore is yet to decide on her outfit for son Saif Ali Khan's wedding with Kareena Kapoor.

Though the date for the much-anticipated wedding is still to be fixed, rumour mills have been doing the rounds that Kareena's dress for the big occasion will be Sharmila's Sharara which she wore on her marriage with late cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi.

"I was expecting some questions regarding Saif's wedding... No, I haven't decided my outfit for Saif's wedding. But my favourite colours are red and its various shades and, fushia pink, " said Sharmila, who walked the ramp for designer duo Ashima and Leena on the second day of PCJ Delhi Couture Week.

The collection titled 'Raag Rattan' saw a wide array of lehanga, saree, Anarkali in the hues of white, red, golden and beige. Sharmila, 65, wore a red saree topped with long net jacket and said walking the ramp for the designer duo makes her feel good.

"Ashima and Leena are one of my favourite designers and I like their clothes. It makes me feel good. I was giving running commentary backstage about their collection, " she said. Sufi singer Zila Khan performed live during the show, bringing alive the soul of the collection.

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Walking the ramp is fun for me: Sharmila Tagore

Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore, who walked as a showstopper for designer duo Ashima-Leena for the ongoing Delhi Couture Week (DCW) here Thursday, revealed that walking the ramp is something which she enjoys doing.

"For me, walking the runway is fun. It is a feel good factor when you get the instant reaction from the audience, " Sharmila said after the show.

The actress has walked the runway in many fashion events. This time, she opted for a red sari teamed up with a long jacket. She accesorised the garment with a "potli" (bag) in hand.

"I like the collection especially the colours. I was giving a running commentary to Ashima that these guys (Ashima-Leena) are good in their work. The collection was very good and lovely and meant for all those women who are not blessed with good heights, " Sharmila added.

For Sharmila, a question of wedding dates for her son Saif Ali Khan and actress Kareena Kapoor was inevitable but she declined to answer. Asked about what she will wear at the much-talked about wedding, her answer was a terse: "I haven't decided yet."

Starting with whites and creams, Ashima-Leena's collection titled "Raag Rattan", comprised lehangas, saris and anarkalis giving an option to the all those would-be brides.

The show started with live performance by Sufi singer Zila Khan who rendered some beautiful tracks including "Khwaja mere khawaja", "Naino ki mat suniyo" and "Yeh jo halka halka".

Talking about their inspiration, Leena said: "Our inspiration is Sharmila who is known for her elegance and royalty."

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