WEF honours Amitabh Bachchan with Crystal Award

Indivjal Dhasmana
Davos, Feb 1 (PTI) Legendary Bollywood actor Amitabh
Bachchan has been honoured with the World Economic Forum's
Crystal Award at Davos for his contribution to the world of
cinema.

Bachchan received the award along with another Indian
artist -- Mallika Sarabhai -- a Kuchipudi and Bharatnatyam
danseuse.

Bachchan and Sarabhai would be joining the league of
famed US cellist Yo-Yo Ma and British actress Emma Thompson,
who bagged the award in 2008.

"I have no idea there is so much visibility to Indian
cinema in other parts of the world. Just so amazing ... This
recognition, this attention, this awareness to our world and
our craft. So overwhelming," Bachchan wrote from Davos.

Other Indian names associated with the award are
veteran actress Shabana Azmi, sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali
Khan and renowned sitar exponent Pandit Ravi Shankar.

Besides, Chinese martial arts movie star Jet Li and
famous musician José Antonio Abreu was also honoured.

Crystal Award pays tribute to decisive role of arts
and culture in creation of global understanding and peace.

The World Economic Forum is a Geneva-based non-profit
foundation known for its annual meeting, which brings together
top business leaders, international political leaders,
selected intellectuals and journalists to discuss the most
pressing issues facing the world, including health and
environment. PTI