Babita, Sattar, Marina honoured with Ekushey Padak

Bangladesh has awarded actress Farida Akhter Babita, architect Marina Tabassum, and Prof Abdus Sattar, a maestro of Oriental aesthetics and a pioneer of modern printmaking, alongside six other eminent individuals and one institution, in recognition of their distinguished contributions across different fields.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presented the awards on Thursday morning at Osmani Memorial Hall, handing the medallions to the awardees and their representatives.

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs announced the nominees for 2026 on Feb 5.

Each recipient received a 35g gold medal and Tk 400,000 cash award with a certificate of honour.

Awards spanned contributions in the Language Movement, Liberation War, arts, journalism, literature, education, and economics.

Film arts: Farida Akhter Babita

Fine arts: Prof Abdus Sattar

Architecture: Marina Tabassum

Dance: Arthy Ahmed

Pala songs: Islam Uddin Palakar

Sculpture: Tejosh Halder Josh

Music (posthumous): Ayub Bachchu, received by his wife Ferdous Akhtar Chondona

Band music: Warfaze, represented by Sheikh Monirul Alam

Journalism: Shafik Rehman

Education: Prof Mahbubul Alam Majumdar

The event was conducted by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani and attended by cabinet members, distinguished citizens.