Indian composer and musician A.R.Rahman was conferred with Japan’s Fukuoka prize for 2016. The Oscar-winning music maestro was reportedly honoured with the Grand Fukuoka prize for his outstanding contribution to Asian culture through music.
Adding to the Academy Award-winning Jai Ho composer’s vast collection of wins, the ceremony had Rahman presenting a lecture on “From The Heart: The World of AR Rahman’s Music.”
The Fukuoka Prize is an honour established in 1990 by the city of Fukuoka and the Yokatopia foundation. It was meant to pay a tribute to the works of individuals and organisations, who have promoted and preserved the diverse and rich culture of Asia.
Divided into three categories — Grand Prize, Academic Prize and Arts and Culture Prize — this year’s winning list saw Rahman sharing the stage with historian Ameth R Ocampo from Philippines (Academic Prize) and Yasmeen Lari from Pakistan (Arts and Culture Prize).
The 49-year-old’s career spans over nearly two decades, and in these glorious years of musical contribution the Indian singer and composer has been the recipient of several awards worldwide.
His major Hollywood project happened in 2009, when he scored the music for British filmmaker Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire. Not only did he win two Academy Awards for best original score and best original song for the movie but also the Golden Globe Award and the BAFTA trophy.
A prominent figure in the world of music, Rahman also has the 1995 Mauritius National Award and the Malaysian Award for his musical contributions in his kitty.
