Famous music composer Ilaiyaraaja will receive the Padmapani Award at the 11th Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival (AIFF) 2026, the organizers of the festival announced in advance in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra. The festival, set to take place between January 28 and February 1/4, 2026, will showcase the best cinema in the world and honour the exceptional works of Ilaiyaraaja in Indian film music for more than five decades. Maestro was unanimously selected by a distinguished selection committee to receive this lifetime achievement honour, including a memento, citation, and cash prize. The awarding will be done during the opening of the festival, and it will influence national and international artists and movie lovers.
Ilaiyaraaja: Padmapani Award & Ajanta-Ellora Film Festival 2026
-
The legendary music composer Ilaiyaraaja will receive the coveted Padmapani Award at the 11th Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival (AIFF) 2026 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra.
-
Next year, the festival will take place between January 28 and February 4, 2026, and almost 70 films will be presented at this festival.
-
A magnified jury that consisted of great film critics and film directors unanimously chose Ilaiyaraaja.
-
The Padmapani Award comes along with a memento, a citation of honour, and a cash prize of 2 lakh.
-
The award will be given at the opening ceremony of the festival in the presence of the national and foreign artists, filmmakers, and cinemagoers.
-
The career of Ilaiyaraaja has spanned over 5 decades with about 7,000 songs and original scores on more than 1,500 films in various Indian languages.
-
His compositions combine the classical and folk Indian musical traditions with the western symphonic musical forms, which have given him the highest status of admiration, known as the Isaignani (Musical Sage).
-
The fact that stalwarts like Javed Akhtar, Sai Paranjpye, and Om Puri are the past winners of Padmapani shows that the award is prestigious.
-
This illustration further solidifies Ilaiyaraaja as a legendary composer whose works have influenced Indian cinema and have motivated generations of musicians.
-
The Ajanta-Ellora Film Festival is still in existence, where it promotes global cinema and recognizes exemplary work in film music and artistry.
Previous Year Questions of Ajanta-Ellora
| Exam | Year | Question (Official PYQ) | Options | Correct Answer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSC CHSL | 2021 (Held 2022) | Held in the month of __________, the Ellora Ajanta Dance Festival is an interface between the culture and history of India. | April / February / January / March | January |
| UPPCL JE (Civil) | 2022 | Ellora, 100 km away from Ajanta, has ____ caves dedicated to Buddhist, Hindu & Jain faiths. | 34 / 32 / 30 / 28 | 34 |
| UPSSSC PET (General Studies) | 2022 | The caves and rock-cut temples at Ellora are: | Buddhist / Buddhist and Jain / Hindu / Hindu, Buddhist and Jain | Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain |
| UPSC Prelims | 2013 | With reference to the history of Indian rock-cut architecture, consider: 1. The caves at Badami are India’s oldest rock-cut caves. 2. The Barabar Caves were for Ajivikas. 3. At Ellora, caves were made for different faiths. |
1 only / 2 and 3 only / 3 only / 1, 2, and 3 | 3 only |
| UPSC Prelims | 2016 | What is/are common to Ajanta and Mahabalipuram? 1. Built in the same period 2. Same religious denomination 3. Both have rock-cut monuments |
1 and 2 only / 3 only / 1 and 3 only / None | 3 only |
Conclusion (Ilaiyaraaja to Receive Padmapani Award at Ajanta-Ellora)
The Padmapani Award to renowned composer Ilaiyaraaja at the Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival 2026 is one of his outstanding contributions to music in India. His classical pieces of work have been instrumental in changing generations, as they span over half a century. This award shows his long-term legacy between classical and modern music, and he has inspired artists and listeners all over the world.
