Kannada filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli, who was honoured with the South Asian Cinema Foundation's Excellence in Cinema Crystal Globe Award 2009, says receiving the prestigious award has been the most precious moment in his life.

Speaking to IANS from New Delhi where he has gone to receive the National Award for his film "Gulabi Talkies", Kasaravalli said that a retrospective of his best films were organised in Britain.

"It was my first visit to Britain. I am very happy to receive the award and be part of the first ever retrospective of my films in London," said Kasaravalli who received the award from Indian high commissioner to Britain Nalin Surie.

He has directed films like "Ghatashraddha" and "Hasina" and says his cinema is an exploration of life in visuals.

"This award is one more feather in Girish Kasaravalli cap," said Jayamala, president of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC).

K.C.N. Kumar, secretary of KFCC, said: "Girish Kasaravalli is a committed filmmaker who has always stood for excellence in cinema. He has taken the Kannada film industry to greater heights."

Earlier Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Saeed Akhtar Mirza and M.S. Sathyu had received the Crystal Globe Award.