Crystal Award for A. R. Rahman
By Yogendra
(February 2011)
Together with opera singer José Carreras and actor Robert De Niro, Indian composer and singer A. R. Rahman received the Crystal Award of the World Economic Forum in Davos on 27 January. In front of over 2500 top executives from politics and economy, the three artists were honoured for "their creative answers to the challenges of the world". The Crystal Award is given to outstanding artists who are involved in charitable work also. The award for A. R. Rahman shows that stars of Indian music do find worldwide recognition nowadays.
A. R. Rahman, an absolute superstar in India, is known in the West primarily for his music for the musical "Bombay Dreams", which was a great success in London's West End and on Broadway, and for his film score for "Slumdog Millionaire". For the music for this Oscar-winning film Rahman received the 2009 Golden Globe Award, the British BAFTA Award and two Grammys as well as two Oscars for Best Original Score and Best Original Song.
Rahman is an ambassador for the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, which aim to substantially reduce hunger and disease in the developing world by 2015. The award in Davos was given especially for his commitment to helping underprivileged children with his A. R. Rahman Foundation.