Ilaiyaraaja to be honoured with Padmapani Award at AIFF 2026

Legendary music composer Ilaiyaraaja will be conferred with the prestigious Padmapani Award at the upcoming Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival (AIFF) 2026, the organisers announced on Sunday.

The annual film festival will be held from January 28 to February 4 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The award will be presented to the maestro during the opening ceremony on January 28.

According to the organisers, the ceremony will be attended by national and international artists, eminent personalities from various fields and film lovers.

The Padmapani Award is given in recognition of outstanding contribution to cinema and the arts. Ilaiyaraaja, regarded as one of the most influential composers in Indian cinema, has composed music for over a thousand films in several languages and continues to inspire generations of musicians.

The organisers said the honour acknowledges his unparalleled legacy and lasting impact on Indian film music.