Rakoto Frah was a renowned flautist and composer of traditional music from Madagascar. Rakoto Frah rose to national fame in 1958 when he was selected to perform for the visiting French president Charles de Gaulle. He recorded over 800 original compositions, toured extensively and was featured in two French documentaries. In honor of his role in popularizing the sodina, he's depicted on the 200 ariary Malagasy banknote. Rakoto Frah's death was widely mourned and marked by a state funeral.