New Delhi, Dec 13 (UNI) Music maestro A R Rahman will be honoured with the Lakshminarayana International Award on December 15, during the curtain-raiser ceremony of the Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival 2025.
The prestigious award recognises legendary artists for their outstanding contributions to the arts and will celebrate the Oscar-winning composer and singer at a special event marking the festival’s 35th year.
According to a press release, the award presentation will take place on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 2 pm, at Rasika Ranjani Sabha, Chennai, setting the tone for the upcoming edition of the global music festival.
A two-time Academy Award winner and global music icon, Rahman has played a transformative role in shaping the soundscape of Indian cinema. With over 150 million records sold across more than 100 film soundtracks and albums, his landmark works include Roja, Bombay, Dil Se, Taal, Lagaan, Slumdog Millionaire, and 127 Hours.
Trained in Western classical music at Trinity College, Rahman founded the pioneering Panchathan Record Inn in Chennai and made a historic debut with Roja, earning the National Award, followed by six more, the highest number received by any Indian composer. He is also a recipient of the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.
Beyond films, Rahman continues to push creative boundaries through projects such as his VR film Le Musk and by nurturing young talent through institutions and ensembles including KM Music Conservatory, Sunshine Orchestra, Firdaus Orchestra, and his recent collectives Rooh-e-Noor and Jhalaa.
Through the A.R. Rahman Foundation, he remains deeply committed to education and philanthropy. Featured in Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list and appointed Honorary President of Trinity Laban in 2024, Rahman continues to bridge tradition, technology, and culture on a global stage.
In January 2023, Rahman collaborated with Dr. L. Subramaniam and three generations of musicians to produce a new version of Don’t Leave Me, one of Subramaniam’s most soulful compositions originally written in 1985 for his father.
Featured in the critically acclaimed album Conversations, the reimagined piece was created as a tribute to Prof. V. Lakshminarayana on his 111th birth anniversary.
