ALIGARH: Oscar winning music director A R Rahman was today conferred an honorary doctorate by the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) for his
contribution to the field of art and music.
Rahman, who created history by becoming the first Indian to win two Oscars for his composition in 'Slumdog Millionaire', was honoured along with noted Urdu
scholar Gopi Chand Narang at the 59th convocation of the historic institution.
Overwhelmed to have joined the likes of former presidents Zakir Hussain and A P J Abdul Kalam and freedom fighter Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, who are among the earlier recipients of the award, Rahman urged Indian youth to work towards building "a strong, harmonious India".
"I urge young people to continue learning and to participate with me in building a strong, harmonious India and world," Rahman said.
Crediting his success to Indian traditions and philosophy, Rahman said: "it is only with these values that my success has been realised both nationally and now after the 2009 Oscar, Bafta and Golden Globe Awards, internationally."
Describing art in general, and music in particular, as "a transcendent language that all can understand", he said the country needed more people who enter the fields of art, culture and media.