In a development that should bring cheer to music fans of American singer-songwriter, artist and writer Bob Dylan has been declared the recipient of the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature "for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition".
Sara Danils, permanent Secretary of the Swedish Academy, describes Dylan as “A great sampler … and for 54 years he has been at it, reinventing himself.”
“An extraordinary example of his brilliant way of rhyming putting together refrains, and his brilliant way of thinking” were described as the traits that made Dylan stand out for this prestigious award.
Born Robert Allen Zimmerman, the folk rock singer-songwriter has produced a vast catalog of music since the 1960’s dealing with social issues, including war and civil rights.
Some of his most popular songs included "Blowin' in the Wind" and "The Times They Are a-Changin" became anthems for the American civil rights and anti-war movements.
His six-minute single "Like a Rolling Stone", recorded in 1965, enlarged the range of popular music. Dylan's mid-1960s recordings, backed by rock musicians, reached the top end of the United States music charts while also attracting denunciation and criticism from others in the folk movement.
For Dylan, a musician, to be awarded the biggest prize for literature not only underlines the influence the musician has had over the years to many issues including those of war and civil areas, it also underlines the role of a song writer into literature.
Many would believe that the award means an expansion of the concept of literature in itself.
Literature was the last prize to be awarded of this year's Nobel prizes.
The prize has been awarded since 1901 after dynamite inventor Alfred Nobel for achievements in science, literature and peace in accordance with his will.
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