Composer AR Rahman has been honoured with the Golden Plate Award by the American Academy of Achievement in Washington DC. The accolade was presented by filmmaker Peter Jackson during the 56th International Achievement Summit at the historic Mellon Auditorium.
The Golden Plate Award is among the Academy’s highest honours, given to individuals whose work has fostered significant societal change and inspired audiences around the world. Rahman now joins a list of past recipients that includes Francis Ford Coppola, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Julie Andrews, Maya Angelou, Haruki Murakami, Chuck Jones, Michael J Fox, Samuel L Jackson and Andre Agassi.
Accepting the honour, Rahman said he was truly humbled to receive it. He credited the people of India, the inspiration he has drawn from the country and the directors and creative partners he has worked with over the years. He also thanked fans for their support, adding that the recognition was a reminder to keep striving and growing as an artist. Rahman said he felt humbled and proud to represent India through the award.
The American Academy of Achievement is a Washington based non profit organisation that recognises outstanding contributions across fields including arts, science, business and public service.
Rahman, 59, is widely regarded as one of India’s most influential composers, with a career spanning more than three decades across Indian and international cinema. His international breakthrough came with Danny Boyle’s 2008 film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, for which he won two Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song for ‘Jai Ho’. The soundtrack also earned him two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA and a Golden Globe.
Over the years, Rahman has composed music for films such as ‘Bombay’, ‘Roja’, ‘Taal’, ‘Lagaan’, ‘Rang De Basanti’, ‘Guru’, ‘Jodhaa Akbar’, ‘Rockstar’, ‘Highway’ and ‘Tamasha’. His recent work includes the soundtracks for ‘Peddi’ and ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’. He is also set to work on Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana’, where he will collaborate with composer Hans Zimmer on the music.
