Indian-American writer Jhumpa Lahiri has been appointed as a member of US President Barack Obama's committee on the Arts and Humanities, Press TV reported.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author joined five other literary figures on the committee, namely Chuck Close, Fred Goldring, Sheila Johnson, Pamela Joyner and Ken Solomon.

"I am proud that these distinguished individuals will serve in my Administration," Obama said in a statement.

"The arts and the humanities enhance the vibrancy of our society, inspire us and strengthen our democracy," Obama asserted.

Lahiri has also received the PEN/Hemingway Award, the Addison M Metcalf Award and the New Yorker magazine's Debut of the Year for her collection of stories, Interpreter of Maladies.

The 42-year-old writer is best-known for her novel The Namesake, which became a New York Times Notable Book and a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize.

It was also selected as one of the best books of the year by the national daily, USA Today, and the Entertainment Weekly magazine. A movie was also made based on the book by the Indian director Mira Nair.