Warfaze, nine individuals get Ekushey Padak

The government yesterday announced nine individuals and, for the first time, a rock band as recipients of the Ekushey Padak 2026, the country’s second-highest civilian honour, recognising contributions across film, fine arts, architecture, music, dance, theatre, journalism, education and sculpture.

The list was disclosed at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy following an Advisory Council meeting.

The awardees include veteran actress Farida Akhtar Babita (film), Prof Md Abdus Sattar (fine arts), architect Marina Tabassum (architecture), late musician Ayub Bachchu (music), dance artiste Arthy Ahmed (dance), theatre personality Islam Uddin Palakar (theatre), journalist Shafik Rehman (journalism), Prof Dr Mahbubul Alam Majumdar (education), sculptor Tejosh Halder Josh (sculpture) and rock band Warfaze (music).

Warfaze’s selection marks the first time a rock band has been chosen for a national award, according to the government briefing and media reports.

In film, Babita is widely known for her work in films such as “Ashani Sanket” and “Golapi Ekhon Traine” and has won multiple Bangladesh National Film Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award.

In fine arts, Prof Abdus Sattar has previously received Honourable Mention awards at the Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh, along with the Best Award for Print and a Gold Medal, among many other awards.

Architect Marina Tabassum has earned international recognition, including the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2016 for the Bait-ur-Rouf Mosque and again in 2025 for Khudi Bari.

Late musician Ayub Bachchu, founder and frontman of the highly popular rock band LRB, received multiple Meril Prothom Alo Awards and a Tele Cine Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.

Islam Uddin Palakar, a renowned folk singer, is celebrated for performing pala gaan, a traditional narrative form popular in the haor region. He formed his own troupe in 1989 and became widely known for performances including “Komola Rani Sagar Dighi”, “Jahangir Badsha”, and “Motilal”. Recently, he reached a new generation of listeners through Coke Studio Bangla with the song “Deora”.

Sculptor Tejosh Halder Josh, known for socially engaged public sculpture, has previously received honours including a Media Best Award and an Honourable Mention Award at the Asian Art Biennale, among others.

In education, Prof Mahbubul Alam Majumdar, dean of the school of data and sciences at BRAC University, recently received the Spirit of Abdus Salam Award. He also serves as a long-time coach and mentor of the national Mathematics Olympiad team.

Warfaze, formed in 1984, is credited with popularising hard rock and heavy metal in Bangladesh, with albums spanning from Warfaze (1991) to Shotto (2012).

The Ekushey Padak, introduced in 1976, is awarded annually in recognition of outstanding contributions to various sectors. The award ceremony usually takes place on February 21, International Mother Language Day and Martyrs’ Day.