BTV announces return of iconic children’s talent hunt ‘Notun Kuri’

Bangladesh Television (BTV) is bringing back its legendary children’s talent hunt show ‘Notun Kuri’, the state-run broadcaster announced on its official social media handles last night (Tuesday), sparking a wave of nostalgia and celebration among viewers.

Once a cultural phenomenon in the country’s mono-channel era, Notun Kuri aired on BTV from 1976 until its final broadcast in 2006, discovering generations of young talents in singing, dancing, acting, recitation and other performing arts.

The show was originally created by eminent artist Mustafa Monwar and became a launching pad for numerous prominent figures in the arts and entertainment industry.

Following Tuesday’s announcement, many of the show's fans, former contestants, and cultural enthusiasts took to social media to share their excitement and fond memories of watching or participating in the programme.

BTV has not yet disclosed details about the audition process, broadcast schedule or format changes for the revived season.

First aired in 1966 on Pakistan Television and relaunched on BTV after Bangladesh’s independence, ‘Notun Kuri’ became an enduring part of the country’s cultural heritage, known for nurturing young performers from across the nation.

Over the decades, ‘Notun Kuri’ introduced audiences to a host of talented youngsters who went on to become household names.

These include actors Tarana Halim, Rumana Rashid Ishita, Tarin Jahan, Meher Afroz Shaon, Nusrat Imroz Tisha, Zakia Bari Mamo, Tamalika Karmakar, Sabrin Saka Meem and Azad Rahman Shakil; singers such as Samina Chowdhury, Haimanti Rakshit Das and Mehbooba Mahnoor Chandni; and other cultural figures who went on to make their mark in film, television, theatre and music.

For many, the show was not just a competition, but the first step towards lifelong artistic careers.

‘Notun Kuri’ ceased airing in 2006 due to changing media landscapes, financial constraints at BTV, and the emergence of private television channels offering diverse entertainment options. Over time, sustaining the nationwide auditions, live broadcasts, and judging processes became challenging amid shifting programming priorities and limited institutional support.

It was previously reported that the show would make its long-awaited return in 2020; however, it did not happen due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Despite its long hiatus, ‘Notun Kuri’ remains a beloved symbol of Bangladesh’s cultural heritage, and enthusiastic audiences are rejoicing over the announcement of its much-anticipated return.