Bob Dylan regarded as the voice of a generation for his influential songs from the 1960s onwards, has won the Nobel Prize for Literature in a surprise decision that gave a singer-songwriter one of the world's most prestigious cultural awards.

His songs such as "Blowin' in the Wind," "Masters of War," "A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall," "The Times They Are a-Changin," "Subterranean Homesick Blues" and "Like a Rolling Stone" captured a spirit of rebellion, dissent and independence.

The Swedish Academy said on Thursday, when it awarded the 8 million Swedish crown ($930,000) prize, "Dylan has the status of an icon. His influence on contemporary music is profound," .

For more than 50 years , Dylan has been writing songs and is often on tour. Swedish Academy member Per Wastberg said, "He is probably the greatest living poet” .

Sara Danius, Permanent Secretary of the Nobel Academy, told a news conference there was "great unity" in the panel's decision to give Dylan the prize.

Literature was the last of this year's Nobel prizes to be awarded. The prize has been named after dynamite inventor Alfred Nobel and has been awarded since 1901 for achievements in science, literature and peace+ in accordance with his will.

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By Prakriti Neogi