The Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre turned into a union of the cultural bigwigs yesterday evening as leading Bangla daily Prothom Alo and Square Toiletries staged the programme to honour the stars.

Renowned singer Abdul Latif received an award for his life-long contribution to vocal music. As painter Qaiyum Chowdhury handed him the medal and a cheque for Tk 50,000, Latif became emotional.

Dramatist Mustafa Monwar received the special critics' award that his wife Meri Monwar took from sculptor Nitun Kundu.

Television dramatist Giasuddin Selim, drama director Nurul Islam Atiq, TV actor Fazlur Rahman Babu and actress Elora Gahar received critics' awards for best performance on television.

In film section, Saidul Anam Tutul received two critics' awards for directing and producing Adhiar, a film based on Tebhaga movement.

Ahmed Rubel received special critics' award.

Ferdous was judged best film actor in readers' opinion while Shaon best actress. Asif Akbar was adjudged best singer in readers' opinion and Mamtaz best female singer.

Nobel and Tisha received best models' awards. Prometheus received the award for best musical band.

Mahfuz was adjudged best TV actor and Opi Karim best TV actress, Riaz best film actor and Purnima film actress.

Editor of Prothom Alo Motiur Rahman, Deputy Editor Anisul Haq and Square Toiletries Managing Director Anjan Chowdhury Pintu were present.