Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman has been honoured with this year’s Hridaynath Mangeshkar Award.
Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai presented the fifth Hridaynath Mangeshkar Award to Rahman on the 78th birthday of Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar, well-known composer and the younger brother of Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle.
The first Hridaynath Award was given to Lata Mangeshkar. Then, to Asha Bhosle, Amitabh Bachchan and veteran actress Sulochana. In 2009, 48-year-old Rahman won the Oscar award for Best Original Score and Best Original Song, sharing with lyricist Gulzar, for his work in Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire. The singer-composer has also won four National Awards in a career spanning over two decades.
“The music of Hridaynathji is an inspiration,” said Rahman.
Subhash Ghai worked with the 48-year old musician in Taal.
“He didn’t know Hindi or Punjabi but worked for 70 nights on the music of Taal and proved that he is the best musician. He is not only a big celebrity. He also has a beautiful soul,” said Subhash Ghai.
Namaskar. Aaj Mashhoor Sangeetkar A R Rahman ji ko Hridaynath ke naam ka puraskar diya gaya. pic.twitter.com/Js3r5IZDua
— Lata Mangeshkar (@mangeshkarlata) October 26, 2015
Hridaynath Mangeshkar said Rahman had made the country proud with his outstanding contribution to music. Grammy Award winning Hindustani classical musician Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and 2014 Grammy winner Ricky Kej were also present at the event.
Here is a glimpse of the Hridaynath Awards 2015:
