There's been no stopping the country's TV actresses since BTV went on air 50 years ago. Along the way some have dropped out of the profession while others continue to cause a stir with their powerful histrionics.

A round up of the stars of the small screen:

Pioneering TV actress Ferdousi Majumder came into the spotlight with her debut critically acclaimed play “Ektola Dotola” . That was the defining moment in her career. Her blockbuster mega series “Sangsaptak” later earned her immense fame. The noted theatre personality still continues acting with great enthusiasm.

After her, Doly Anwar, Aleya Ferdousi, Sharmili Ahmed, Ajmeri Zaman Reshma and Dilshad Khanam became popular faces on the small screen. At that time, film artistes Sujata and Rosy Samad also acted in TV plays.

On the other hand, Doly Anwar appeared in the acclaimed film “Shurjo Dighal Bari”. Her notable dramas include “Bakulpur Katodur” and “Jonaki Jole”.

Aleya Ferdousi came into the spotlight with her powerful acting in “Nidhua Pathar Kande”. Meanwhile, Sharmili Ahmed's “Malancha” became very popular at that time. Besides, Sharmili worked in the first drama serial in the history of BTV, “Dompoti”.

Ajmeri Zaman performed in the plays “Mukhra Romoni'r Bashikaran”, “Shesher Kobita” and “Dhupchaya”, while Dilshad Khanam acted in the popular drama “Roktokorobi”.

The second generation artistes, Mita Chowdhury, Suborna Mustafa, Mini Reza, Shampa Reza, Priscilla Parvin, Sara Zaker and Afroza Banu, among others, were the household names on BTV, forming a successful second generation. Almost everyone of the generation is still popular in the media world.

Of them, Mita came into the limelight with her play “Borof Gola Nodi”, Rini Reza with “Rokte Angurlota”, Shampa Reza with “Idiot” and “Asrute Gandhar”, Priscilla with “Maria Amar Maria” and Afroza Banu with “Kumur Nijer Jibon”.

Afroza Banu's role of a sister-in-law, Shimu bhabi, in the drama “Shokal Sandha” was so popular that everyone called her Shimu bhabi later.

“Kul Nai Kinara Nai”, “Babar Kolom Kothaye”, “Rokte Angurlota”, “Parle Na Rumki”, “Idiot”, “Kusum” and “Johora” are Suborna Mustafa's remarkable plays.

Naila Azad Nupur also began working at the time. Later, Shanta Islam, Tarana Halim, Shaila Nesar and Anni Begh joined the crop.

“Sneho” and “Dhakaye Thaki” earned Tarana Halim immense fame. Meanwhile, Lutfur Nahar Lota acted in the mega series “Bohubrihi” received warmly by the audiences.

Afterwards, Doly Zahur entertained the TV viewers with her powerful acting in the serial “Eisob Dinratri”.  Among the second generation actresses, Keya Chowdhury and Rehnuma were also very popular.

Rubina, Lubna Ahmed, Elora Gawher, Champa, Roksana Shirin, Urmi Rahman, Sazia Afrin, Joly Nasrin and many others stepped into the media world following the massive success of their predecessors in 1970-80s.

Then in the beginning of  the '90s, a fresh third generation-- Shomi Kaiser, Bipasha Hayat, Afsana Mimi, Nushrat Yeasmin Tisha, Dipa Islam, Urmi Hasin, Sabina Bari Laki and Munira Yousuf Memi also started their career  on  hopeful note.

Bipasha Hayat's debut play was “Bibaho”, and later she came into spotlight with the drama series “Dhaka Suprobhat”. Besides her, Shomi was spotted acting in “Ke Ba Apon Ke Ba Por” for the first time. She then became very popular through the serial “Kon Kanoner Phool”.

On the other hand, Humayun Ahmed's “Kothao Keu Nei” earned Tamalika Karmakar, Bijori Barkatullah and Afsana Mimi much acclaim. However, Mimi's “Bou Kotha Kao” was earlier immensely praised by everyone.

Tarin and Ishita arrived in the acting arena next. Meanwhile, Aupee Karim, Richi Solaiman and Jaya Ahsan entered the field. Of them, Tarin, Ishita, Aupee and Richi worked on TV before as child artistes.

After them, Sumaiya Shimu, Dipa Khandakar and Chandni came to the showbiz world and earned fame as established actresses. Now, Tisha is very popular face on the small screen, alongside the likes of Mehzabien, Shokh and Moushumi Hamid.