The Oscar-winning composer has been awarded the prize for his definitive contribution towards South Asian traditional music.
Shriram Iyengar
AR Rahman has added another feather to his cap with the prestigious Fukuoka prize from Japan on Monday.
The Tamasha (2015) composer has been awarded the Grand Fukuoka Prize for the year 2016, recognising his outstanding contribution towards South Asian traditional and fusion music.
The composer will receive the award alongside Philippines historian Ameth R Ocampo and Pakistan’s Yasmeen Lahiri.
The Fukuoka Prize was established by the city of Fukuoka in Japan and the Yokatopia Foundation to honour individuals who have contributed to Asian culture.
Rahman joins the list of previous Fukuoka awardees which includes legendary sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar, dancer Padma Subramanyam, sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan, historian Romila Thapar, sociologist Ashis Nandy and historian Ramchandra Guha.
