The government has announced this year’s Ekushey Padak for late rock icon Ayub Bachchu and popular band Warfaze, prompting rock band Nemesis to pay tribute and call it a proud moment in Bangladesh’s band music history.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, the band described them as representatives of two eras with one shared spirit who placed guitars in the hands of a generation.
Quoting their tribute, Nemesis wrote, “Ayub Bachchu’s guitar carried the cry of freedom. Warfaze’s words spoke the language of courage and the stories of life.”
The band emphasised that among many influential names in the scene, these two stand out for shaping the musical journey of countless listeners and musicians.
Referring to the Ekushey Padak honour, Nemesis said it is not just an award but a cultural validation. The post stated, “Band music is no longer fringe; it is now part of our cultural mainstream.”
They added that the recognition represents sleepless rehearsals, broken stages, damaged amplifiers, and unshaken belief.
The band noted that some songs outlive time and move forward with generations. They wrote that these songs were not created for awards but came from protest, love, and the urge to say, “We are here.”
According to Nemesis, those songs helped people grow up, taught them resistance, and showed them how to love, and are now being recognised at the state level.
Addressing the timing of their message, Nemesis admitted, “We are writing late, but the feeling is right on time. Respect is never late.” They added that some honours arrive beyond timing and come straight from the heart.
The band also shared a message for future musicians, stating that if artists remain honest and stay true to their own path, music never fades away.
Nemesis ended with respect and congratulations to Ayub Bachchu and Warfaze, saying their legacy has pushed Bangladesh’s band music another step forward in history, and that the music and the story will continue.
