Four Stars Shine at Ekushey Padak Ceremony

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presented the nation’s second-highest civilian honour, the Ekushey Padak 2026, at a grand ceremony held yesterday at 11:00 a.m. in the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka. The award recognises outstanding contributions across various fields, and this year, nine distinguished individuals and one organisation received the prestigious accolade.

The ceremony was attended by the awardees, representatives of the honoured institution, cabinet members, senior military and civil officials, and invited guests. It commenced with the national anthem and readings from sacred texts, creating a solemn and celebratory atmosphere.

Awardees of Ekushey Padak 2026

Among the awardees, film icon Bobita, dancer Orthi Ahmed, theatre artist Islam Uddin Palakar, and members of the band Warfaze personally received their awards from the Prime Minister. Ayub Bachchu’s posthumous award was collected by his wife, Ferdous Akhter Chandana.

Farida Akhter Bobita, celebrated worldwide for her work in films including Satyajit Ray’s Ashani Sanket, expressed delight at receiving the honour, stating, “It is a profound joy to receive the Ekushey Padak in this month dedicated to our language. This recognition is one of the greatest moments of my life.” She extended gratitude to her colleagues, directors, and family, emphasising the collective effort behind her achievements.

Islam Uddin Palakar, who has dedicated his life to promoting folk theatre across rural Bangladesh, reflected, “I am a village artist at heart. The applause of people in the villages keeps me inspired and connected to my roots.”

Orthi Ahmed, one of the youngest recipients, highlighted the inspirational impact on youth: “Receiving such a prestigious award at a young age will encourage others. Those who had to abandon dance in childhood will find new motivation through this recognition.”

Warfaze, reunited for the occasion with former and current members travelling from Canada, the United States, and China, shared their excitement. Band leader Sheikh Monirul Alam Tipu noted, “Receiving the Ekushey Padak as a band for the first time in Bangladesh is an unexpected and extraordinary honour. Every member accepts it with pride and gratitude.”

The ceremony celebrated both individual brilliance and collective cultural heritage, highlighting the vibrant artistic and intellectual fabric of the nation.