Singer T W Sainik has received a special honour at the New York Bangla Film Festival 2026 for his contribution to music.
The recognition was presented in appreciation of his long-standing contribution to Bangla music and creative work.
The four-day festival, held in New York, brought together Bangladeshi films, culture and artists, creating a festive atmosphere for audiences.
Alongside film screenings and other events, the festival also honoured individuals who have made significant contributions to Bangla culture and music.
As part of the initiative, T W Sainik was presented with a special honour.
Following the recognition, Sainik expressed his gratitude to the New York Bangla Film Festival authorities.
In a social media post, he said he was deeply grateful and delighted to be honoured for his contribution to music.
The recognition is being viewed not only as a personal achievement for Sainik but also as an acknowledgement of the growing role of Bangla music and cultural practice among the diaspora.
This year’s festival honoured the best films, directors, actors and other professionals from 2023 to 2025 across various categories.
Shakib Khan was named Best Actor for his performance in Priyotoma, which also won Best Film.
Shobnom Bubly was named Best Actress for Deyaler Desh.
Other winners included Chanchal Chowdhury, who won Best Supporting Actor for Toofan, and Sanzida Preeti, who won Best Supporting Actress for 1971 Shei Shob Din.
Kacher Manush Dure Thuiya won Best Web Film, with Shihab Shaheen named Best Director.
Mamunun Imon won Best Actor in a Web Film for Maya, while Afsan Ara Bindu won Best Actress in a Web Film for Unish 20.
Kazi Arisha (Green Card) and Nairita Hasin Raudromoyee (Jongli) shared the Best Child Artist award.
Balam won Best Male Singer for “O Priyotoma” from Priyotoma, while Pritom Hasan won the award for “Lage Ura Dhura” from Toofan.
Avanti Sithi was named Best Female Singer for “Ga Chhuye Bolo” from Surongo.
Dr Inamul Haque won Best Story Writer for 1971 Shei Shob Din. Nazim Ud Daula and Raihan Rafi won Best Screenplay for Surongo.
Suman Sarkar (Surongo) and Sahel Rony (Deyaler Desh) won Best Cinematographer, while Simit Ray Antor (Surongo) and Kamruzzaman Rony (1971 Shei Shob Din) were recognised as Best Editors.
Ripon Nath won Best Sound Designer for Toofan. Asif Iqbal and Someshwar Oli shared Best Lyricist honours for “Megher Nouka” from Prahelika and “Ishwar” from Priyotoma, respectively.
Prince Mahmud won Best Composer for “Ishwar” from Priyotoma, while Emon Saha was named Best Music Director for Prahelika.
Lost won Best Short Film, while Songs for a Country received the Best Documentary Film award.
Legendary actor Ahmed Sharif received a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Bangla cinema.
The festival also honoured Bioscope Films, Star Cineplex and popular OTT platform Chorki for their contributions to the development of Bangla cinema.
The organisers said that recognising individuals who have made significant contributions to Bangla music and culture, alongside cinema, is one of the key objectives of the New York Bangla Film Festival.
They added that the initiative to honour distinguished artists and cultural figures will continue in the future.
The New York Bangla Film Festival 2026 featured various programmes highlighting different aspects of Bangla cinema and culture.
The festival continues to serve as an important platform for connecting diaspora audiences in New York with Bangla films and culture.
