Aditi Kanchanbaras, a PhD student working under Prof. Sanjay Subodh in Department of History, School of Social Sciences, University of Hyderabad (UoH) received a Charles Wallace India Trust Award for 2024-2025. This esteemed award enabled her to travel to London as a visiting scholar at King’s College Music Department, where she worked under the guidance of Professor Katherine Schofield, an expert in the history of Indian music and musicians. Professor Schofield’s mentorship provided Aditi with invaluable insights that greatly enhanced her research.
Aditi Kanchanbaras
While in London, Aditi accessed a rich collection of visual sources from renowned institutions, including the British Museum, the British Library, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the National Library. These visuals, encompassing manuscripts and primary sources, deepened her understanding of the historical roles of women musicians and dancers, who are the central focus of her study. Engaging with scholars across various fields also broadened her approach to research, introducing new methodologies that will strengthen her thesis. This four-week experience has contributed significant insights to her work.