“That was the time when theatre in Orissa was passing through a very crucial juncture, after the sunset of the era of professional groups like Annapurna, Kalashree etc. A vacuum was created in the sphere of theatre. Veteran stage actors of then, enjoying the status of celebrities were forced to a life of ignominy& misery. It was felt, apparently oriya theatre was running in the path lead to oblivion. This situation forced some enthusiastic young theatre activists to think over as to how to fight with the crisis & to revive the lack luster oriya theatre. They had nothing, but only dedication and commitment. There determination won over all obstacles and Satabdira Kalakar a cultural institution made its humble debut on April 18, 1976 in the temple city. Since then there was no looking back.“