The Bangla Academy is an autonomous institution funded by the Bangladesh government that fosters the Bengali language,literature and culture,works to develop and implement national language policy and to do original research in the Bengali language. Established in 1955,it is located in Burdwan House in Shahbagh,Dhaka,within the grounds of the University of Dhaka and Suhrawardy Udyan. The Bangla Academy hosts the annual Ekushey Book Fair.
Shahidullah Kaiser was a Bangladeshi novelist and writer. He was awarded Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1969,Ekushey Padak in 1983 and Independence Day Award in 1998.
Syed Shamsul Haq was a Bangladeshi writer. He was awarded Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1966,Ekushey Padak in 1984 and Independence Day Award in 2000 by the Government of Bangladesh for his contributions to Bangla literature. His notable works include "Payer Awaj Pawa Jai","Nishiddho Loban","Khelaram Khele Ja","Neel Dongshon" and "Mrigoya".
Abdul Gaffar Choudhury was a Bangladeshi-born British writer,journalist,columnist,political analyst and poet. He wrote the lyrics to "Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano",a widely celebrated song commemorating the Bengali Language Movement. He was awarded Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1967,Ekushey Padak in 1983,and Independence Day Award in 2009.
Selina Hossain is a Bangladeshi novelist and the current president of Bangla Academy since February 2022. Her major works include Hangor Nodi Grenade (1976) and Poka Makorer Ghor Boshoti (1996). She earned all major national awards –Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1980,Ekushey Padak in 2009 and Independence Day Award in 2018. Her novels and short stories have been translated into English,Russian,French,Japanese,Korean,Finnish and Malay. She served as the chairperson of Bangladesh Shishu Academy from 2014 until 2018.
Shahnaz Rahmatullah was a Bangladeshi singer. Her notable songs are Ekbar Jete De Na Amar Chotto Sonar Gaye,Je Chilo Drishtir Shimanay and Ek Tara Tui Desher Kotha. She was the recipient of the Ekushey Padak in 1992 and Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the film Chhutir Phande (1990).
Rafiq Azad was a Bangladeshi poet,editor and writer. He is credited with 45 collections of poetry including Prakriti O Premer Kabita,Asambhaber Paye,Sahasra Sundar,Haturir Nichae Jiban,Khub Beshi Durea Noy,Khamakaro Bahaman Hey Udar Amiyo Batas and others. He is most well known for his poem "Bhaat De Haramjada" which was written during the famine of 1974. The poet participated in the war against the Pakistani occupation forces in 1971 Liberation War and was awarded ‘Notable Freedom Fighter Award”in 1997. He received Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1984 and national award Ekushey Padak in 2013,for his contribution to Bangla language and literature.
Abu Hena Mustafa Kamal was a Bangladeshi songwriter,poet,essayist,critic and presenter. In his early life,he was a singer on East Bengal radio and television. He was a professor of Bengali literature at the University of Rajshahi and worked for the government as the Director General of the Bangla Academy from 1986 until his death. He was awarded Ekushey Padak by the Government of Bangladesh in 1987. He published only three collections of poetry before he died of a heart attack in 1989.
Abul Hussain was a Bangladeshi poet. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 1980 and Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1963.
Jharna Dhara Chowdhury was a Bangladeshi social activist.
Abu Taher Mohammad Shamsuzzaman,better known as known as ATM Shamsuzzaman,was a Bangladeshi film and television actor,director and screen-playwright. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2015 by the Government of Bangladesh. He won Bangladesh National Film Awards five times for his roles in Dayee Ke? (1987),Madam Fuli (1999), Churiwala (2001),Mon Bosena Porar Table E (2009) and Chorabali (2012).
Fazal Shahabuddin was a Bangladeshi poet and journalist. He was awarded Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1973 and Ekushey Padak in 1988.
Kamal Lohani was a Bangladeshi journalist. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2015 by the Government of Bangladesh. He served as the director general of Shilpakala Academy from April 2009 until April 2011.
Amjad Hossain was a Bangladeshi film director,actor,scriptwriter and lyricist. He won the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Director twice,for the films Golapi Ekhon Traine (1978) and Bhat De (1984). He also won Bangla Academy Literary Award in 2004 and Ekushey Padak in 1992.
Belal Chowdhury was a Bangladeshi poet. He was awarded the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1984,the Mazharul Islam Poetry Award in 2013 and Ekushey Padak in 2014.
S. M. Mohsin was a Bangladeshi stage and television actor. He became an honorary fellow of the Bangla Academy in 2018. In 2020,he was awarded Ekushey Padak by the Government of Bangladesh for his contribution to acting.
Halima Khatun was a Bangladeshi activist,writer and academic. She took part in Bengali Language Movement in 1952 along with other activists including Rawshan Ara Bachchu. She was the recipient of Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1981 and Ekushey Padak posthumously in 2019.
Biswajit Ghosh is a Bangladeshi professor,essayist and researcher. He is a professor of the Bangla Department at Dhaka University and Incumbent Vice-Chancellor of the Rabindra University. He was awarded Bangla Academy Literary Award in 2011 and Ekushey Padak in 2019 for his contributions in research.
