In recognition of extraordinary contributions across diverse fields of national life, the 2026 Ekushey Padak was conferred by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. As the second-highest civilian honour in Bangladesh, the award is annually presented to individuals and institutions for exceptional achievements in arts, culture, education, research, and social service.
The ceremonial presentation took place on Thursday, 26 February, at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka. The Prime Minister personally handed over the medals, certificates, and monetary awards to the recipients. The event was attended by members of the Cabinet, senior military and civilian officials, and distinguished guests from across the country.
This year, a total of nine individuals and one institution were selected for the prestigious honour. Awardees were recognised for remarkable contributions in fields including performing arts, fine arts, architecture, music, dance, journalism, and sculpture.
2026 Ekushey Padak Recipients
| No. | Field | Recipient / Institution | Notable Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acting | Farida Akhter Bobita | Exceptional achievements in film and theatre |
| 2 | Fine Arts | Prof. Dr. Md. Abdus Sattar | Contributions to painting and art education |
| 3 | Architecture | Merina Tabassum | Internationally acclaimed architectural works |
| 4 | Music (Posthumous) | Ayub Bachchu | Outstanding contributions to music |
| 5 | Dance | Orthi Ahmed | Development of Bangladeshi dance |
| 6 | Folk Music | Islam Uddin Palakar | Preservation and promotion of traditional Bangla music |
| 7 | Journalism | Shafik Rehman | Lifetime of courageous journalism |
| 8 | Education | Prof. Dr. Mahbubul Alam Majumdar | Exceptional contributions to the education sector |
| 9 | Sculpture | Tejas Haldar Jas | Notable achievements in sculpture |
| 10 | Music (Institution) | Band ‘Warfaze’ | Innovative contributions to the music industry |
Notably, this year marked the first time a music band, the popular group ‘Warfaze’, received the award in recognition of its contribution to the nation’s music scene. Additionally, legendary singer Ayub Bachchu was honoured posthumously for his lifetime of musical achievement.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman praised the recipients’ work, stating, “The contributions of these distinguished individuals and institutions will inspire future generations in patriotism, creativity, and social responsibility.” Following the award ceremony, the Prime Minister also attended the inauguration of the historic Amar Ekushey Book Fair.
Instituted in 1976 to commemorate the martyrs of the Language Movement, the Ekushey Padak remains the second-highest civilian honour in Bangladesh, celebrating contributions to the Bengali language, education, research, arts, culture, and social welfare.