Ilaiyaraaja to be honored with Padmapani Award at Ajanta-Ellora Film Festival 2026

The 11th edition of the Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival (AIFF) is set to return to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra. Scheduled to run for eight days from January 28 to February 4, 2026, the festival will showcase a diverse lineup of 70 films. It serves as a vibrant hub for directors, critics, and film enthusiasts to engage in meaningful dialogue and celebrate the art of storytelling. Legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja will receive the Padmapani Award on January 28 at the 11th Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival.

Ilaiyaraaja to receive Padmapani award

According to the official announcement, as reported by The Hindu, world-renowned music composer Ilaiyaraaja will be conferred with the Padmapani Award on the opening day of the festival which will be held on the 28th of January. The ceremony will see the presence of eminent national and international artists, cultural figures, and dignitaries.





Esteemed Jury and legacy of the Padmapani honour

A Padmapani Memento Certificate and a letter of felicitation coupled with a cash prize of Rs. 2,00,000 constitutes the Padmapani Award. The accomplished jury included the legendary film critic Latika Padgaonkar, celebrated director Ashutosh Gowariker, renowned director and cinematographer Sunil Sukthankar, and the illustrious playwright and filmmaker Chandrakant Kulkarni who chose the music composer for the said honor. A host of popular celebrities including writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar, film director Sai Paranjpye, the late Om Puri and many more have been Padmapani Award winners in the past, thereby making it a coveted one.

A lifetime of music that shaped Indian cinema

More than five decades a musical icon for India, Ilaiyaraaja has written over 7000 songs and background scores in over 1500 films. He is renowned for his exquisite songwriting skills and a remarkable body of work across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi, and Marathi languages.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”