Tharani will be conferred the award on November 13 at the Alliance Française by the French ambassador.
Having pursued his education at the Government Fine Arts College and at London’s Royal College of Art, Thota Tharani displayed his interest in the arts right from his childhood.
He began his career with the Telugu film Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi (1978). Kamal Haasan and Singeetam Srinivasa Rao’s romantic film Raja Paarvai (1981) marked his Tamil debut. Tharani is a regular in Mani Ratnam films, as their collaboration dates from Pallavi Anu Pallavi (1983), the director’s debut film, to the Ponniyin Selvan movies. Tharani is also a regular collaborator with director Shankar. His other popular works include Shiva, Chatriyan, Mannan, Ratchagan, Kadhalar Dhinam, Vaalee, Kushi, Chandramukhi, Sivaji, Dasavatharam, Khaidi No 150, and Kadaisi Vivasayi.