Hyderabad: The world’s fastest pianist, city-based Dr T.S. Satish Kumar, received his ninth honorary doctorate from Webbic University in Ghana on Tuesday night, one more than the renowned music composer A.R. Rahman.
On reaching Hyderabad on Thursday morning, Satish Kumar told Deccan Chronicle: “I am feeling proud of the number one position in the world. I am thankful to my parents for all the support they extended, because of which I can live my dream. I suggest all the parents to encourage their children into the art that they like.”
He said, “I am presently the world’s fastest pianist and world’s best pianist. I have completed all eight grades, which is the highest qualification.”
Dr Kumar received his first doctorate in music from Berkley University in California of USA. In 2018, he was recognised for his fusion of Indian classical and Western music. Among institutions to have recognised his contributions are the Royal American University, Delaware University and London University of Arts and Culture.
Dr Satish Kumar was recognised as the fastest pianist by the ‘India Book of Records’ and ‘World Records India’: at Ravindra Bharathi on July 6, 2020, he played 2,454 musical notes in a minute, or 47 a second, beating Delhi’s Aman Batla’ smark fo 1,225 in a minute.
Academically a master's degree holder in mathematics from Osmania University, Dr Kumar said he was passionate about music since his childhood. He said his father, Thota Jayaprakasha Rao, who was a government school teacher, encouraged him to take up music and bought him an accordion and harmonium.
Dr Kumar runs a music school in Marredpally and has produced more than 1,500 musicians. He said he aimed to develop world-class musicians for Telangana. “My aim is to pass on my learning to the next generation. I want to train at least one lakh musicians before I retire,” he said.
