Dr J B Roy (86), recipient of an award for his contribution to group theatre and his theatrical performance, said, "Kishoreganj Theatre has produced many artistes who have won fame home and abroad. In their ranks are Shamim Ara Nipa, Shukla Sarker and many others."

In the course of his address, Roy also pointed out that after 1947 cultural activities almost came to a halt, but he and his fellow artistes continued their activities under the banner of Kishoreganj Theatre. The troupe also took part in social activities, attended by dignitaries such as Ramendu Majumdar and Abdullah Al Mamun, apart from many eminent national and international personalities.

Among the other three award recipients are regular performer Shudhendu Biswas (65), playwright and novelist Professor Zia Uddin and Ashim Sarker Badhan, a young social and cultural activist in the district.

Following the award function, the play Ora Kadam Ali by Mamunur Rashid was staged. The play hinges on how the oppressed take a stance against social injustice. In the course of the play, Kadam Ali had a speaking impediment, which symbolised the inability of the weaker segment of the society in speaking out against oppression.

The cast included Rita, Sohrab Hossain, Kalpana and Emdadul Islam.

The play was directed by MA Aziz, president of Kishoreganj Theatre.