Twenty-one eminent personalities will get the country’s second-highest civilian award, the Ekushey Padak, this year in recognition of their contributions to various fields.

The Cultural Affairs Ministry announced the names of the recipients on Wednesday.

Gallery Cosmos felicitates Ekushey Padak 2023 recipient Kanak Chanpa

Among them, Ashraf Uddin Ahmed (Posthumous) and Freedom fighter Hatem Ali Mia (Posthumous) have been selected for their roles in the Language Movement.

Besides, Jalal Uddin Kha, (Posthumous) Freedom fighter Kalyani Ghosh, Bidit Lal Das (Posthumous), Andrew Kishore (Posthumous) and Subhro Deb,are being recognised for their contributions to music while Shibli Mohammad, Dolly Zahur and MA Alamgir for performing dance and acting, respectively.

Ekushey Padak-winning dancer, actor Zinnat Barkatullah passes away

Popular elocutionist Shimul Mustapha and Rupa Chakraborty were also listed as recipients of the Ekushey Padak.

Shahjahan Ahmed Bikash and Kawsar Chowdhury have been selected for their contribution in painting and documentary films related to the Liberation War.

Ekushey Padak winning sculptor Shamim Sikder no more

Md Ziaul Haque and Rafiq Ahmed were picked for social service.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Samad, Lutfur Rahman Riton, Minar Mansur and Rudra Mohammad Shahidullah are getting the award for contributing to language and literature while Jinabodhi Bhikkhu will picked for his contribution in education.