The UK's Bollywood Ambassador, Honey Kalaria, was awarded a Doctorate of Arts from The University of East London on Wednesday 24 November. The ceremony took place at the Barbican Centre. The Bollywood choreographer, dancer, singer, model and actress, was presented with her Honorary Doctorate of Arts by the Chancellor of UEL, Lord Rix, in recognition of her services to the arts as a leading exponent and teacher of modern Indian dance, her inspirational role in the community and as a cultural ambassador for East London.

Honey Kalaria has contributed much to the Arts world. Her Dance Academy, specialising in teaching Bollywood dancing, has been running for seven years and now boasts fourteen centres across Greater London, with over 1,500 students. Honey and her students have performed both in the UK and Europe in front of Royalty, and alongside Bollywood heart-throbs such as Hrithik Roshan and Shah Rukh Khan. Honey's Dance Academy is known for turning out future stars for the silver screen. Bollywood directors frequently approach the Academy, looking for dancers and extras to appear in Blockbuster films and mainstream pop videos.

Last year, Bollywood, Bhangra, Kathak and Acting classes at Honey's Dance Academy were recognised as modules for the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Awards, a voluntary, non-competitive and flexible programme of cultural and adventurous activities for young people aged 14-25.

"I am very honoured to be receiving my Doctorate of Arts. It is a great privilege that my work is being recognised in such a way by The University of East London. Performing is something I love doing, and I am living a dream of mine. I hope that through my Academy, I can help my students achieve their dreams." Honey Kalaria

Honey will receive her doctorate along with 300 graduates of UEL's School of Cultures and Innovation Studies and School of Social Sciences. UEL is a leading university in these fields, highly rated for research, and with the largest and most diverse media, communication and cultural studies programmes in the UK. 2500 students will graduate in total from UEL this year.

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