Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman has been conferred the Tamil Nadu State Award for Best Music Director for his work in Mani Ratnam’s historical epic Ponniyin Selvan – I. The recognition adds yet another milestone to Rahman’s celebrated career, which spans decades and includes state, national and international honours.Announcing the award, Rahman took to X to express his gratitude to the Tamil Nadu government. “Honoured to receive the Tamil Nadu State Award for Best Music Director for Ponniyin Selvan – I. My sincere thanks to the Government of Tamil Nadu for this recognition. Warmest congratulations to all the other awardees,” he wrote.Rahman’s music for Ponniyin Selvan – I was widely praised for seamlessly blending classical Carnatic influences with a grand cinematic scale, playing a crucial role in shaping the film’s emotional and narrative depth.
Clarifying his remarks after online backlash
The award announcement comes shortly after Rahman found himself at the centre of online discussion following remarks he made in a recent interview. “People who are not creative have the power now to decide things, and this might have been a communal thing also, but not in my face,” he had said, sparking criticism and debate on social media.Addressing the backlash, Rahman shared a video message on Instagram on Sunday, clarifying his intent and stressing that he never meant to hurt sentiments. “India is my inspiration, my teacher and my home. I understand that intentions can sometimes be misunderstood. But my purpose has always been to uplift, honour and serve through music. I have never wished to cause pain, and I hope my sincerity is felt,” he said. He further added, “I feel blessed to be Indian, which enables me to create a space which always allows freedom of expression and celebrates multicultural voices.”
