M.I.A. receives MBE medal handmade by her mother

15 January 2020, 11:36 | Written by Cerys Kenneally

(News)

(M.I.A.)

M.I.A was awarded an MBE medal from Prince William yesterday (14 January), and reveals it was hand-stitched by her own mother.

After making the honours list back in June 2019, an MBE was awarded to M.I.A. - real name Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam - yesterday (14 January) at Buckingham Palace by Prince William for her services to music.

When she made the honours list last year, M.I.A. revealed that her mother Kala Pragasam is one of two women (her cousin being the second) who have been making the MBE medals for over three decades. She wrote at the time, "She is one of the two women in England who hand stitched these medals for the last 30 years. After receiving asylum my mum and cousin took this job in 1986, because it was the only non English speaking manual labour she could find. She spent her life in England hand sewing 1000s of medals for the Queen. No matter how I feel or what I think, my Mother was extremely proud of the job she had."

Yesterday (14 January), the singer/rapper took her mother to the MBE ceremony, and wrote on Instagram after, "Today I'm accepting this in honor of my mother who worked for minimum wage to give us a better life. As a working class first generation immigrant it's great to be recognised for my contribution. Having freedom to speak my truth and to do it through music has helped me speak for those who do not have those privileges. I will continue fight for those who are silenced or persecuted by others."

View this post on Instagram
Today I'm accepting this in honor of my mother who worked for minimum wage to give us a better life. As a working class first generation immigrant it's great to be recognised for my contribution. Having freedom to speak my truth and to do it through music has helped me speak for those who do not have those privileges. I will continue fight for those who are silenced or persecuted by others. Btw mum loves the new saree pin that she made with my cousin.
A post shared by MIA (@miamatangi) on Jan 14, 2020 at 7:28am PST

In a second Instagram post, M.I.A. added, "Mum actually made this 1!!! They don't make this ribbon anymore. I actually got 1 of the MBE medals she stitched. I was ikhyds age when mum started this job."

View this post on Instagram
Mum actually made this 1!!! They don't make this ribbon anymore. I actually got 1 of the MBE medals she stitched. I was ikhyds age when mum started this job.
A post shared by MIA (@miamatangi) on Jan 14, 2020 at 1:10pm PST