Eminent pala singer Islam Uddin Palakar has been awarded the country’s second highest civilian honour, the Ekushey Padak. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presented him with the medal at a formal ceremony on Thursday, February 26.
Speaking shortly after receiving the award, an emotional Islam Uddin described the recognition as a defining moment in his life. “This is the best day of my life as a Palakar,” he said, adding that the honour was a unique feeling after decades of dedication to the art form.
Associated with Palagan for much of his life, the artist said his career began with the traditional performance genre and that the Ekushey Padak marks formal recognition of that long journey. He described the moment as unparalleled in the history of his involvement with Palagan.
However, Islam Uddin stressed that the honour was not solely a personal achievement. In his view, the award elevates Palagan to its rightful place within the country’s cultural sphere. Many within the folk music community see the recognition as not only an accolade for an individual performer but also as institutional acknowledgement of the traditional art form itself.
Born in 1969 in Noabad village in Karimganj upazila of Kishoreganj, Islam Uddin studied up to maktab level. From an early age, he developed a passion for Jatrapala and Palagan. Inspired by his two elder brothers, who performed with the Jhumur Jatra troupe, he began dreaming of a career in the performing arts.
In 1981, at just 12 years old, he made his stage debut in the Jatrapala Qasem Mala. He later became a disciple of Ustad Quddus Boyati and formally trained in Palagan. He first performed as a lead singer in the pala Gule Hormuz, before forming his own troupe and embarking on an independent career.
In recent years, Islam Uddin has found renewed popularity among younger audiences. In 2023, he gained widespread recognition for lending his voice to the song ‘Deora’ for Coke Studio Bangla.
From the rural haor wetlands to the national stage, the Ekushey Padak stands as a crowning achievement in Islam Uddin Palakar’s long and dedicated artistic journey.
