Padmapani Award Announced for Legendary Composer Padma Vibhushan Ilaiyaraaja at 11th Ajanta–Verul International Film Festival

The Padmapani Award for this year has been announced for the esteemed Indian music composer Padma Vibhushan Ilaiyaraaja. The honour will be bestowed during the 11th Ajanta–Verul International Film Festival, scheduled from January 28 to February 1, 2026, in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.The festival, renowned for showcasing exceptional films from around the globe to Marathi audiences, will feature a grand assembly of national and international artists.

The announcement of Ilaiyaraaja’s recognition was made by the festival’s founder and Organising Committee Chairman Nandkishor Kagliwal, Chief Mentor Ankushrao Kadam, and Honorary Chairman Ashutosh Gowariker.Ilaiyaraaja, a Rajya Sabha member and a towering figure in Indian cinema music, was selected by the Padmapani Award Selection Committee chaired by senior film critic Latika Padgaonkar. The panel included filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, Sunil Sukthankar, and Chandrakant Kulkarni. The award includes the prestigious Padmapani memento, a citation, and a cash prize of ₹2 lakh.

The award ceremony will take place at the festival inauguration on January 28 at 5:30 pm, at Rukmini Auditorium, MGM Campus, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The festival’s screenings and events will continue at INOX, Prozone Mall over five days.With a career spanning over five decades, Ilaiyaraaja has composed more than 7,000 songs and scored over 1,500 films across multiple Indian languages including Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi, and Marathi. His music blends Carnatic and Hindustani classical traditions with Western symphonic elements, creating emotionally resonant scores that have captivated audiences nationwide. Revered as “Isaignani” (musical sage), his artistry embodies spirituality, discipline, and human sensitivity.

The Ajanta–Verul International Film Festival is presented by Nath Group, MGM University, and Yashwantrao Chavan Centre, and organised by the Marathwada Art, Culture and Film Foundation. It enjoys the support of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (Government of India), the Department of Cultural Affairs (Government of Maharashtra), Prozone Mall, NFDC, and the Maharashtra Film, Stage and Cultural Development Corporation.

The organising committee invites cinephiles and citizens nationwide to participate in this prestigious festival that elevates Marathwada’s presence on the global cinematic stage. This appeal was extended by the festival leadership including Nandkishor Kagliwal, Ankushrao Kadam, Ashutosh Gowariker, and other key members of the organising team.