Ilaiyaraaja Wins Padmapani Award at Film Festival

Veteran music composer Ilaiyaraaja has been selected for the prestigious Padmapani Award at the 11th Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival. The award honours his outstanding and lasting contribution to Indian cinema, especially his work in film music across several languages.

The Padmapani Award includes a Padmapani memento, a citation certificate, and a cash prize of ₹2 lakh. The organisers said Ilaiyaraaja was chosen for his unique musical style and the deep impact his compositions have had on generations of listeners and filmmakers.

The 11th Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival will be held from January 28 to February 1 at Mahatma Gandhi Mission in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The festival is known for celebrating excellence in cinema from India and around the world.

The festival is being organised with the support of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, and the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra. It is co-presented by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the Maharashtra Film, Stage and Cultural Development Corporation.