MUMBAI: Veteran music composer Khayyam will be honoured with the first 'Naushad Samman' award on 14 February 2009.

The award comprises a cash prize of Rs 1,00,000. It will be presented by Haryana governor Dr A R Kidwai at the Sangeet Natak Academy auditorium in Lucknow. Khayyam will be felicitated for his incomparable contribution in keeping tradition and high standards of Indian music in films and society.

The purpose of establishing 'Naushad Samman' is to give due respect to music scholars for their notable contribution to Indian music, Lucknow-based Naushad Sangeet Kendra's Maharashtra unit Secretary Aslam Khan said.

A special talk on music titled 'Shastriya Sangeet Ki Filmi Sangeet Se Apekshayein', will be organised in which music scholars will be invited.

Khayyam, poet and lyricist Gulzar and ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas will participate in the talk. Naushad Sangeet Kendra had organised a competition called 'Awaz'08' to develop interest in classical music among the youth.

About 270 contestants participated in the competition held in October 2008. The event was dedicated to Naushad and contestants were asked to sing songs composed by Naushad.