When Bangladesh’s Ministry of Cultural Affairs announced the recipients of the Ekushey Padak 2026, one name resonated louder than the rest: Ayub Bachchu.
The late rock legend, whose guitar riffs defined a generation, has been posthumously awarded the country’s second-highest civilian honour, cementing his place not just in music history but in the nation’s cultural heritage.
The rise of a rock pioneer
Born in Chattogram in 1962, Ayub Bachchu’s journey was anything but ordinary. He began his musical journey with the band Golden Boys (later renamed Ugly Boys) alongside his childhood friend and renowned singer Kumar Bishwajit. He later played with leading bands Feelings and Souls, sharing the stage with another rock icon, James, before founding LRB in 1991.
Under Bachchu’s leadership, LRB performed over 2,500 concerts at home and abroad, including a US tour covering seven states. Their debut double album was a first in Bangladesh, and its success marked the dawn of mainstream rock in the country.
Musical contributions
Throughout his prolific career, Ayub Bachchu released 16 solo albums, founded the “AB Kitchen” studio and production house, and composed numerous film soundtracks, including hits such as Ammajaan, Sagorika, Ononto Prem, and Ami To Preme Porini.
His timeless creations — Rupali Guitar, Cholo Bodle Jai, Ekhon Onek Raat, Koshto, Shei Tumi Keno Eto Ochena Hole, Ferari Ei Monta Amar, Ekdin Ghum Bhanga Shohore, and Hashte Dekho Gaite Dekho — remain cherished anthems of Bangladeshi rock music.
Known as the “guitar wizard of Bangladesh,” his mastery of the instrument set new standards in South Asian rock, blending hard rock, blues, and ballads with Bengali sensibilities.
Legacy beyond music
Ayub Bachchu was not only a performer but also a mentor. He nurtured young musicians, promoted live concerts, and fought for recognition of rock music in Bangladesh’s cultural sphere. His charisma on stage was matched by his humility off it, making him beloved across generations.
Even years after his passing, Ayub Bachchu’s voice, vision, and “Rupali Guitar” continue to echo through generations of fans who keep his legacy alive.
Ekushey Padak 2026 recognition
The Ekushey Padak, named after the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement, is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to national life. By honouring Ayub Bachchu, Bangladesh has acknowledged that rock music – once seen as rebellious – is now a vital part of its cultural identity.
This recognition is not just symbolic. It validates the decades-long struggle of musicians who sought to carve out space for rock in a society steeped in traditional genres. For fans, it is a moment of pride; for the nation, it is a reminder that culture evolves, and that music, in all its forms, is a vessel of identity.
A legacy immortalised
Ayub Bachchu’s Ekushey Padak is more than an award – it is a declaration that his chords will never fade. His guitar may have fallen silent, but the echoes of his music continue to reverberate across Bangladesh and beyond.
As one fan put it: “Ayub Bachchu didn’t just play the guitar, he played our hearts.”
National Award-winning composer Prince Mahmud, who composed many of Bachchu’s songs, said, “Ayub Bachchu Bhai received the Ekushey Padak. A new era has begun with the Ekushey Padak awarding to Ayub Bachchu and Warfaze Band.”