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.

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 organisations 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 industry came with Ram Gopal Varma’s Rangeela in 1995.

He is now one of the most sought after composers in India with his brilliant compositions for films like Bombay, Dil Se, Taal, etc.