The government has nominated globally renowned architect Marina Tabassum, along with eight other eminent citizens and a music band of Bangladesh, for this year’s Ekushey Padak—the country’s second-highest civilian honour—for their outstanding contributions in their respective fields.
The other honorees are Farida Akhtar Bobita for film, Prof. Md Abdus Sattar for fine arts, the late Ayub Bachchu and the band Warfaze for music, Arthy Ahmed for dance, Islam Uddin Palakar for theatre, Shafik Rehman for journalism, Prof. Dr. Mahbubul Alam Majumdar for education, and Tejos Halder Josh for sculpture.
The names for the Ekushey Padak 2026 were announced on February 5. The list was disclosed by Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam at a press briefing, where he said the nominations had been finalised at a meeting chaired by Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki.
Short profiles of the recipients:
Marina Tabassum (Architecture): An internationally acclaimed architect known for her climate-responsive designs, she is also a two-time recipient of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.
Farida Akhtar Bobita (Film): A veteran actress of Bangladeshi cinema whose career spans several decades. Her powerful performances have made a lasting contribution to Bangladesh’s film fraternity.
Prof. Md Abdus Sattar (Fine Arts): A distinguished artist and educator who has played a significant role in the advancement of fine arts in Bangladesh. His works resonate with cultural memory and a strong sense of aesthetic harmony.
Late Ayub Bachchu (Music): An iconic rock musician who redefined the sound and spirit of modern Bangladeshi music with his powerful guitar work and songwriting. He is considered the finest guitarist in the country.
Warfaze (Music – Band): One of Bangladesh’s most influential rock bands, recognised as pioneers of heavy metal and hard rock. Their nomination marks a historic milestone as the first rock band to be nationally recognised.
Arthy Ahmed (Dance): A distinguished dancer and choreographer, celebrated for her contributions to both classical and contemporary styles.
Islam Uddin Palakar (Theatre): A respected theatre artist and director whose work in performance and direction has enriched the cultural fabric of the nation.
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Shafik Rehman (Journalism): A veteran journalist and columnist known for his bold, socially conscious commentary. His fearless voice has left a lasting imprint on media and public discourse.
Prof. Dr. Mahbubul Alam Majumdar (Education): An eminent scholar and academic leader whose vision and dedication have had a lasting impact on institutional growth and educational quality.
Tejos Halder Josh (Sculpture): A prominent sculptor known for his evocative, socially conscious, and expressive artworks, which have earned him widespread recognition in Bangladesh’s art community.
Written By Tasmiah Chowdhury
