The King’s Day celebration in India this year was marked by a moment of deep cultural resonance and mutual appreciation between India and the Netherlands. In a special ceremony organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, noted cellist and composer Saskia Rao-de Haas was conferred the prestigious Ridder in de Orde van Oranje-Nassau. The honour is one of the highest civilian decorations of the Dutch monarchy, awarded to individuals for longstanding meritorious service to society, the State or the Royal House.
Born and raised in the Netherlands, Saskia Rao-de Haas has lived in India for the past 25 years, where she has carved a unique space for herself as a pathbreaking musician, educator and cultural bridge-builder. Her deep passion for music led her to India, where she trained intensively under celebrated gurus, most notably the legendary flautist Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia—who himself has previously received the same Dutch honour for his contributions to Indo-Dutch musical ties.
Speaking on receiving the award, Saskia rejoiced, “This is indeed a tremendous honour to receive this recognition, this Knighthood, from my government. Some of the greatest artists have received this decoration and I am truly honoured to be amongst them. I have lived in India for the past 25 years and I have been recognised as being a bridge between our two countries. It is very kind of the Ambassador and her team to make the required efforts. Of course I am also grateful to my wonderful husband (sitarist) Shubhendra Rao.”
The honour also carries a poignant personal resonance. Both Saskia’s parents were decorated with the same title years ago for their service to society—an example that left a lasting impression on her. “I learnt this lesson early in life that anything we do in life has to be in the service of our community and to be shared with the people we live with,” she reflected.
Saskia Rao-de Haas’s contributions to the world of music are manifold and deeply impactful. She is a pioneer in adapting the cello for Indian classical music—a groundbreaking innovation that has earned her acclaim both in India and abroad. She is also a respected composer, with works that have drawn global attention for their originality and emotional depth. At the request of the Dutch embassy, she composed the evocative ‘Song of Water,’ a piece that has been performed internationally to critical praise. Her compositions are published in the Netherlands by the Donemus Foundation, a prestigious institution that supports and promotes Dutch composers.
Her journey into Indian music began at the Rotterdam Conservatory, where she studied North Indian classical music in the Jazz, Pop & World Music department. At the time, Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia was serving as the artistic director of the World Music department. Saskia stood out as one of the most promising students, and before long, she was not only studying but also teaching Indian music history at the same conservatory. Her decision to move to India for advanced training marked a turning point in her life and career.
In addition to performance and composition, Saskia has made enduring contributions to music education in India. She is the founder of ‘Sangeet4All,’ a pioneering music education program and curriculum tailored for young learners across India. Designed to make classical music accessible and engaging, her curriculum has reached hundreds of thousands of children. She has authored a wide range of teaching materials, books and publications now widely used in Indian schools.
Her role in promoting Indian music in the Netherlands has also been significant. Through performances, academic articles, and educational outreach—including for the conservatory in Rotterdam—she has helped broaden Dutch understanding of Indian classical traditions. She was also among the featured performers during the Amsterdam India Festival at the famed Concertgebouw in 2008, underscoring her role in cultural diplomacy.
Sharing her thoughts on Saskia’s achievements, Marissa Gerards, Ambassador of the Netherlands in India, Nepal and Bhutan, observed, “Through her years of dedication to music as a means of bringing people from different cultures and backgrounds together, she can rightly be called an ambassador of Dutch music in India, and of Indian music in the Netherlands. She, therefore, serves as a veritable bridge strengthening the ties between the Netherlands and India.”
Indeed, Saskia’s artistic journey exemplifies the power of music to transcend boundaries. Whether through her innovative performances, her educational outreach, or her compositions that blend traditions seamlessly, she has consistently worked to build dialogue between cultures. The Ridder in de Orde van Oranje-Nassau thus not only recognises artistic excellence, but celebrates her lifelong commitment to using music as a force for unity and understanding.
As India and the Netherlands mark yet another chapter in their long and layered relationship, Saskia Rao-de Haas stands at the heart of this connection—a living testament to the transformative potential of art, and the enduring value of cross-cultural exchange.