Cultural personalities receive Ekushey Padak 2026

The Ekushey Padak 2026, one of the highest civilian honours of Bangladesh, was presented at a formal ceremony organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. The event recognised eminent individuals for their outstanding contributions to Bangla language, literature, culture, and the arts.

The ceremony was graced by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as chief guest, who personally handed over the awards to the recipients. The programme was presided over by Minister for Cultural Affairs Nitai Roy Chowdhury, with ministers, members of parliament, senior officials, and other distinguished guests in attendance.

The event began with a welcome speech by Secretary of Cultural Affairs Mofidur Rahman, and the proceedings of the Ekushey Padak Award 2026 were conducted by Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Nasimul Ghani.

This year’s Ekushey Padak recipients include Farida Akhtar Babita (Film), Professor Md Abdus Sattar (Fine Arts), Marina Tabassum (Architecture), Ayub Bachchu (Music, posthumous), Arthy Ahmed (Dance), Islam Uddin Palakar (Palagan), Shafik Rehman (Journalism), Professor Dr Mahbubul Alam Majumdar (Education), Tejosh Haldar Josh (Sculpture), and Warfaze (Music Band).

State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam delivered a congratulatory address, praising the recipients for enriching Bangladesh’s cultural landscape. 

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury said, “Ekushey Padak is not just an award; it is a symbol of gratitude to those who have contributed to our culture. Your creations are what keep our cultural heritage alive.”

In his speech, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman congratulated the awardees, stating, “At this noble ceremony today, we are honoured by the presence of many distinguished individuals who have earned admiration through their remarkable contributions to education, culture, and various branches of the arts.” He emphasised that while politicians run the state, scholars and creative minds play a crucial role in guiding society. “The more such accomplished individuals a nation has, the more enlightened it becomes in terms of prosperity and moral values,” he added.

The Prime Minister also recalled the origins of the award, noting that the Ekushey Padak was introduced to honour the spirit of the Language Movement and to recognise those who have enriched the nation through education, literature, research, and artistic practice. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening education, research, and cultural pursuits, stressing that politicising these fields “is never a hallmark of a civilised society.” He concluded by wishing all recipients long, creative, and fulfilling lives, and expressed hope that Bangla language and culture will continue to shine globally.

Veteran actress Farida Akhtar Babita was the first to be honoured at the ceremony, marking a moment of deep respect for her lifelong contribution to showbiz. She looked poised and elegant in a cream-beige saree. Babita’s illustrious career includes critically acclaimed films such as "Ashani Sanket", "Golapi Ekhon Traine", and "Alor Michil", earning recognition both domestically and internationally. Collaborations with filmmakers Satyajit Ray and Zahir Raihan cemented her status as one of Bangladesh’s most accomplished actresses. She has won multiple National Film Awards and was also honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Posthumously honoured musician Ayub Bachchu was represented by his wife Ferdous Akhtar Chondona. Ayub Bachchu, founder and frontman of LRB, is remembered as a trailblazer of modern Bangla rock. His albums and songs, including hits such as “Cholo Bodle Jai”, “Shei Tumi”, and “Rupali Guitar”, became anthems for generations. Renowned for his songwriting and guitar mastery, Bachchu remains one of the country’s finest and most influential musicians.

Sheikh Monirul Alam Tipu accepted the award on behalf of Warfaze, the pioneering rock band formed in 1984. The event was attended by both past and present members of the band. 

Warfaze is credited with introducing hard rock and heavy metal to Bangladesh, shaping the country’s rock scene over four decades with iconic tracks such as "Boshe Achi Eka", "Obak Bhalobasha", "Jibondhara", and "Oshamajik", and landmark albums including "Warfaze" (1991), "Obak Bhalobasha" (1994), "Jibon Dhara" (1997), and "Shotto" (2012).

Folk singer Islam Uddin Palakar, dressed in his traditional pala gaan attire, received the award from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He is celebrated for performing pala gaan, a narrative folk form popular in Bangladesh’s haor region, and is known for productions such as "Komola Rani Sagar Dighi", "Jahangir Badsha", "Motilal", and "Rupkumar". He recently reached new audiences through Coke Studio Bangla with the song "Deora".

Noted dancer Arthy Ahmed, looking elegant in a white saree, was honoured for her contributions to dance. Her work spans classical, contemporary, and traditional forms, combining performance with broader efforts to make dance inclusive and widely accessible.

Finally, celebrated sculptor Tejosh Haldar Josh received the award for his innovative and thought-provoking works in sculpture. His creations, ranging from monumental public installations to intricate pieces, have been exhibited nationally and internationally, earning acclaim for their use of materials, textures, and forms, and reflecting both Bangladesh’s heritage and contemporary artistic vision.

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PM Tarique confers Ekushey Padak 2026