Warfaze, the country’s pioneering rock band, returned home by rickshaw on Thursday after becoming the first Bangladeshi rock band to receive the prestigious Ekushey Padak.
The humble gesture drew attention on social media, highlighting the band’s modesty despite their historic achievement.
Guitarist Ibrahim Ahmed Kamal shared a photograph on Facebook, writing: “We returned by rickshaw after receiving the Ekushey Padak.”
The awards were presented by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka. This year, nine individuals and one institution were honored for their exceptional contributions in various fields.
Warfaze received the recognition for their significant impact on music. Other recipients included Farida Akhter Bobita for acting, Ayub Bachchu (posthumously) for music, Arthy Ahmed for dance, and Islam Uddin Palakar for pala gaan. Additional honorees were Professor Dr Md Abdus Sattar in fine arts, architect Marina Tabassum in architecture, sculptor Tejos Halder, journalist Shafik Rehman, and Professor Dr Mahbubul Alam Majumdar in education.
Introduced in 1976, the Ekushey Padak is awarded by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs in honor of the spirit of the Language Movement and remains one of Bangladesh’s highest civilian awards.