Music legend AR Rahman is set to receive the Lakshminarayana International Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the arts. The honour will be presented on December 15, 2025, during the curtain-raiser event of the Lakshminarayana Global Music Festival in Chennai.
According to organisers, the award ceremony will mark the opening of the festival’s 35th year and will take place at Rasika Ranjani Sabha at 2:00 pm. The Lakshminarayana International Award is presented to iconic artists whose work has left a lasting impact on global art and culture, with this year’s focus on Rahman’s transformative influence on music.
A two-time Academy Award winner, Rahman is widely credited with redefining the soundscape of Indian cinema. Over the course of his career, he has sold more than 150 million records and composed music for over 100 films and albums. His celebrated body of work includes ‘Roja’, ‘Bombay’, ‘Dil Se’, ‘Taal’, ‘Lagaan’, ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ and ‘127 Hours’.
Trained in Western classical music at Trinity College, Rahman founded the Panchathan Record Inn in Chennai and made his landmark debut with Roja, earning a National Award. He has since received six more National Awards, the highest number won by any Indian composer, along with the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.
Beyond film music, Rahman remains deeply engaged in innovation and mentorship through initiatives such as KM Music Conservatory, the Sunshine Orchestra, the Firdaus Orchestra and newer ensembles including Rooh-e-Noor and Jhalaa. His work also extends into immersive media and philanthropy through the AR Rahman Foundation.
In recent years, Rahman has continued to receive global recognition, including being named among Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People and his appointment as Honorary President of Trinity Laban in 2024.
