BTV to revive legendary children’s talent hunt ‘Notun Kuri’

NN Online:
Bangladesh Television (BTV) has officially announced the return of its iconic children’s talent hunt show Notun Kuri, sparking a wave of nostalgia among audiences nationwide. The announcement, posted on BTV’s official social media channels on Tuesday night (August 12), was met with an outpouring of excitement from fans, former contestants, and cultural enthusiasts.

Originally created by celebrated artist Mustafa Monwar, Notun Kuri first aired in 1966 on Pakistan Television and was relaunched on BTV after Bangladesh’s independence. From 1976 until its final broadcast in 2006, the programme became a national cultural institution, discovering generations of young talents in singing, dancing, acting, recitation, and other performing arts.

Over its decades-long run, Notun Kuri served as the launching pad for many celebrated names, including 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 Samina Chowdhury, Haimanti Rakshit Das, and Mehbooba Mahnoor Chandni; along with numerous other prominent cultural figures.

The show went off air in 2006 due to funding issues, the rise of private TV channels, and logistical challenges in holding nationwide auditions. A planned revival in 2020 was shelved because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

BTV has yet to reveal details on the audition process, telecast schedule, or any format updates for the new season. Despite its 19-year hiatus, Notun Kuri remains a cherished part of Bangladesh’s cultural heritage — and its long-awaited return has been greeted with widespread joy.