Famous music conductor Zubin Mehta has won a French award worth $1 million, the French country's culture ministry said on Thursday.
The awards, named after Israeli Dan David who was a pioneer in photographic technologies, were given in three categories: the past, the present and the future.
Mehta will share the prize with French composer Pascal Dusapin. The both won it in the 'present' category.
The jury said Mehta, who conducted the New York Philharmonic for 13 years, was awarded for his flamboyant direction.
French historian Jacques Le Goff, who has authored many books on the Middle Ages, won the award in the 'past' category.
The 'future' prize was awarded to the three American scientists: Dr James Hansen, Dr Jerry Olson and Sarah Kurtz.
The award is given to people whose achievements have made a scientific, technological, cultural or social impact on the world.