MUMBAI:  Among the list of Padma awardees announced by the government on the eve of the country's 60th Republic Day are a host of the country's music luminaries.

The musician from Madras who has done the country proud - A R Rahman - has been chosen for the Padma Bhushan, along with another veteran composer from the southern part of the country and one whom Rahman considers a mentor - Ilaiyaraaja, who also gets the Padma Bhushan this year. Tamil film music composer Ilaiyaraaja, who set music for Hindi films like 'Cheeni Kum' and 'Paa', will share the honour with Rahman this year.

Oscar award winning sound technician Resul Pookutty has been conferred the Padma Shri this year.

Noted 'mridangam' Carnatic artist Umayalpuram K Sivaraman also gets the Padma  Bhushan award from the government which, in all, named 130 people, including 13 in the category of foreigners, NRIs and PIOs. 43 are Padma Bhushan and 83 are Padma Shri.

Hindustan classical vocalist Pandit Chhannulal Mishra and Marathi music composer Shrinivas Vinayak Khale have been conferred the Padma Bhushan honour.