Prime Minister Tarique Rahman Confers Ekushey Padak 2026

The event took place at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital at 11:00 AM, honoring those who have made significant and glorious contributions to various fields of national life. This state honor, which is the second-highest civilian award in Bangladesh, serves as a tribute to the language martyrs and those who enrich the nation's cultural and intellectual heritage.

The recipients for 2026 include veteran actress Farida Akhtar Babita for her contribution to film, Professor Md. Abdus Sattar for fine arts, and world-renowned architect Marina Tabassum for architecture. In the music category, the late rock icon Ayub Bachchu was honored posthumously, recognizing his profound influence on the country's musical landscape. A historic first was recorded this year as the iconic group Warfaze became the first rock band in Bangladesh's history to receive the Ekushey Padak.

Other distinguished awardees include veteran journalist Shafik Rehman for his services to journalism, Professor Dr. Mahbubul Alam Majumdar for education, and Islam Uddin Palakar for his work in theatre and Palagan. The awards for sculpture and dance were presented to Tejas Halder Josh and Arthy Ahmed, respectively. Each recipient was presented with a gold medal, a certificate of honor, and a financial grant. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, while presiding over the ceremony, urged the nation's luminaries to continue their work in building a democratic and culturally vibrant Bangladesh.