R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, JAN 19
Legendary music composer Ilaiyaraaja, whose melodies have shaped the emotional grammar of Indian cinema for over half a century, will be conferred with the Padmapani Award at the Ajanta–Ellora International Film Festival (AIFF) 2026 (https://twitter.com/aeiffest/status/2012855969823527136), the organisers have announced.
The annual international film festival will be held from January 28 to February 4 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, bringing together filmmakers, artists and cinema lovers from across the world. Ilaiyaraaja will be presented the prestigious honour during the opening ceremony on January 28, in the presence of national and international artistes, eminent personalities from diverse fields and film enthusiasts, the organisers said in a release issued on Sunday.
- · Maestro’s five-decade musical legacy to be honoured at the opening ceremony of the prestigious international film festival
- · Award jury led by Latika Padgaonkar selects Ilaiyaraaja for his unparalleled contribution to Indian cinema
- · Nearly 70 films from India and abroad to be screened at the eight-day cinematic extravaganza
The decision to honour the maestro was taken by a distinguished committee comprising noted film critic Latika Padgaonkar as chairperson, along with acclaimed filmmakers Ashutosh Gowariker, Sunil Sukthankar and Chandrakant Kulkarni. The organisers said the award recognises Ilaiyaraaja’s “exceptional and enduring contribution to film music and cinematic storytelling”.
As part of the Padmapani Award, Ilaiyaraaja will receive the Padmapani Memento, a letter of honour and a cash prize of ₹2 lakh. Past recipients of the award include celebrated lyricist Javed Akhtar, veteran director-writer Sai Paranjpye, and iconic actor Om Puri, among other stalwarts of Indian cinema.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest composers the country has produced, Ilaiyaraaja has, over the last five decades, composed more than 7,000 songs and original background scores for over 1,500 films. His work spans multiple Indian languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi and Marathi, earning him a rare pan-Indian appeal and a permanent place in the hearts of music lovers.
The organisers said the eight-day AIFF 2026 will feature screenings of nearly 70 films, celebrating diverse cinematic voices while paying tribute to legends who have defined the soul of Indian cinema.
