The Bangla Academy has announced the recipients of the prestigious Nazrul Award 2026, recognising outstanding contributions to the life, works and legacy of Kazi Nazrul Islam. This year’s award has been conferred on celebrated Nazrul Sangeet exponent Fatema Tuz Zohra and distinguished researcher Rashidun Nabi for their respective roles in promoting and preserving Nazrul’s creative heritage.
The announcement was made ahead of the 127th birth anniversary celebrations of the National Poet, during which the awards will be formally presented. The ceremony is scheduled to take place on 22 May at 3 pm, under the auspices of the Bangla Academy.
Fatema Tuz Zohra has been associated with Nazrul Sangeet for several decades. As a regular artist of Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar, she has performed extensively, bringing the works of Kazi Nazrul Islam to audiences at home and abroad. Her performances on both national and international stages have played a significant role in introducing Nazrul’s music to younger generations and keeping the tradition vibrant in contemporary cultural life.
Beyond performance, she has also devoted herself to teaching and preservation. Over the years, she has trained a large number of students in Nazrul Sangeet, many of whom have gone on to become performers and educators themselves. Her contribution is widely regarded as both artistic and institutional, helping to sustain a living tradition rather than merely preserving a historical repertoire.
The second awardee, Rashidun Nabi, has been recognised for his extensive academic research on the life, literature and philosophical thought of Kazi Nazrul Islam. His scholarly works and essays have added new dimensions to Nazrul studies, enriching Bengali literary criticism and offering deeper analytical perspectives on the poet’s ideological and artistic legacy.
Following the announcement, Fatema Tuz Zohra expressed mixed emotions, stating that she had recently felt somewhat forgotten and emotionally distant from public attention. The recognition, she noted, arrived unexpectedly and brought renewed joy and encouragement. She also conveyed her gratitude to the Bangla Academy, adding that the honour would inspire her to continue her musical journey with greater dedication.
Nazrul Award 2026 Recipients
| Name | Field of Recognition | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Fatema Tuz Zohra | Nazrul Sangeet artiste | Performance, dissemination, and training in Nazrul music |
| Rashidun Nabi | Researcher | Academic study of Nazrul’s life, literature, and philosophy |
The dual recognition this year highlights two complementary dimensions of Nazrul heritage: artistic performance and academic research. Cultural observers believe that such acknowledgement not only honours individual excellence but also strengthens the transmission of Nazrul’s creative legacy to future generations, ensuring its continued relevance in Bangladesh’s cultural and intellectual landscape.