Archive · 29 Jan 2026
German Musicologist Lars-Christian Koch Honored with Padma Shri
Dr. Lars-Christian Koch is a German expert in music and culture who has spent many years studying Indian classical music.
He has written important books and articles that help people in the West understand Indian music better.
He also works in museums and teaches at universities.
Recently, he was given a special award called the Padma Shri by the Indian government for his great work.
He has studied how Indian music makes people feel emotions and compared it to old European music.
He also wrote about the famous musicians who played instruments made by a special family in Kolkata.
Koch's work helps people around the world appreciate Indian music more.
German ethnomusicologist Dr. Lars-Christian Koch, 66, received the Padma Shri, India's highest civilian award, for his contributions to Indian classical music.
Koch's work has interpreted Indian music and instruments for Western audiences and enhanced understanding within India.
He has served as the director of the Ethnologisches Museum and the Museum of Asian Art in Berlin, integrating them into the Humboldt Forum.
Koch's notable works include 'My Heart Sings: The Songs of Rabindranath Tagore' and 'Sitar and Surbahar Manufacturing: The Tradition of Kanailal & Brother'.
He currently holds positions as the director of the State Ethnographic Collections of Dresden and Professor of Ethnomusicology at the University of Cologne.
- Who
- Dr. Lars-Christian Koch, a 66-year-old German ethnomusicologist
- What
- Received the Padma Shri award for his contributions to Indian classical music
- When
- 2026 Padma Awards
- Where
- India
- Why
- For his deep engagement with and interpretation of Indian classical music, enhancing its understanding both in the West and within India
- Name
- Dr. Lars-Christian Koch
- Age
- 66
- Nationality
- German
- Field of Study
- Ethnomusicology
- Award
- Padma Shri
- Notable Works
- My Heart Sings: The Songs of Rabindranath Tagore, Sitar and Surbahar Manufacturing: The Tradition of Kanailal & Brother
- Current Positions
- Director of State Ethnographic Collections of Dresden, Professor of Ethnomusicology at University of Cologne, Honorary Professor at University of the Arts, Berlin
- Key Contribution
- Interpreted Indian classical music for Western audiences and distinguished it as a significant field in global ethnomusicology