AR Rahman to get top Japanese culture prize

Music maestro A R Rahman has been announced as the recipient of Grand Fukuoka Prize 2016 for his outstanding contribution to Asian culture through his music.

As part of the ceremony, Rahman has been invited to the city to give a public lecture on "From the Heart: The World of A R Rahman's Music".

The 49-year-old Oscar-winning composer has been chosen for the honour alongside Philippines' historian Ameth R Ocampo (Academic Prize) and Yasmeen Lari from Pakistan (Arts and Culture Prize) by the secretariat of Fukuoka prize committee.

The annual award, was established by Fukuoka City, Japan, in 1990 with an aim to honour the outstanding work of individuals, groups and organizations working to preserve and promote the unique and diverse culture of Asia.

Rahman started his movie career with Mani Ratnam's Tamil film "Roja". Rahman's



first big break in Hindi cinema came with Ram Gopal Varma's "Rangeela".

He is now one of the most sought after composers in India with his brilliant compositions for films like "Bombay", "Dil Se", "Taal", "Lagaan", "Rang De Basanti", "Delhi 6", "Rockstar", "Highway" and "Tamasha".

Rahman has carved an impressive career in Hollywood after composing "Jai Ho" for British director Danny Boyle's "Slumdog Millionaire", which earned him two Academy awards and a Golden Globe trophy.

Previous winners from India include distinguished names such as sitar player Ravi Shankar, dancer Padma Subrahmanyam, historian Romila Thapar, sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan, Ashish Nandy, Partha Chatterjee, Vandana Shiva, Nalini Malini and historian Ramachandra Guha.

Other winners include Nobel laureates Muhammad Yunus (Bangladesh) and Mo Yan (China).