A city in Canada, Markham, has named a city after iconic Indian musician AR Rahman.
The composer reacted to the honour by tweeting that he is very grateful to Frank Scarpitti the Mayor of Markham, councillors, Apoorva Srivastava (the Indian Consulate General), and the people of Canada.
He added that he now feels an immense responsibility to do much more and be inspiring. "Even if I get tired I'll remember that I have more things to do, more people to connect (with), and more bridges to cross."
AR Rahman is currently touring Canada and shared images from the inauguration ceremony on Twitter. The city in Ontario had announced back in 2013 that a street will be named after the musician.
Speaking about the honour, the musician said the name AR Rahman is not his. "It means merciful. The merciful is the quality of the common God we all have and one can only be the servant of the merciful. So let that name bring peace, prosperity, happiness, and health to all the people living in Canada. God bless you all."
He also thanked India and his collaborators. "I want to thank my brothers and sisters of India for all the love. All the creative people who worked with me, who gave me the inspiration to rise up and celebrate hundred years of cinema; with all the legends included. I am a very small drop in the ocean."
AR Rahman recently completed three decades in the Indian film industry. He has won six National Film Awards, two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, 15 Filmfare Awards, and 17 Filmfare Awards South.
His upcoming projects are Cobra and Ponniyin Selvan: I.