The “Isaignani” Ilaiyaraaja has been chosen for the prestigious Padmapani Award at the 11th Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival.
The award recognizes his monumental contribution to Indian film music, which includes over 7,000 songs and scores for 1,500 movies across five decades.
A selection committee featuring filmmakers like Ashutosh Gowariker and Sunil Sukthankar unanimously chose the maestro for this honor.
The ceremony will take place during the festival’s opening on January 28, 2026, where he will receive a memento, a citation, and a Rs 2 lakh prize.
The committee highlighted that Ilaiyaraaja’s music transcends linguistic boundaries, impacting cinema in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Marathi, and more.
Previous recipients of this prestigious honor include icons such as Javed Akhtar, Sai Paranjpye, and the late actor Om Puri.
The festival, running from January 28 to February 4, will also screen nearly 70 films as part of its global celebration of cinematic excellence.