After years of absence, Bangladesh Television (BTV) has relaunched its iconic children and youth talent hunt program Notun Kuri. The initiative was inaugurated on Sunday at the BTV headquarters by Mahfuj Alam, Adviser to the interim government.
Speaking at the launch, Adviser Mahfuj Alam emphasized that the revival of Notun Kuri was aimed at fostering arts, literature, and cultural practices among the country’s children and young people, beyond political considerations.
“This program was first introduced during the time of martyred President Ziaur Rahman but was later shut down due to political reasons. As the new government, we are reviving this tradition so that the next generation of artists can showcase their talent,” he said.
The adviser further noted that Bangladesh had been experiencing a “cultural vacuum” for the past 15–16 years, with partisan patronage dominating the cultural sphere. “Through Notun Kuri, we want to fill that gap and build an environment where artists can represent the nation beyond party ideology,” he added.
On the issue of fairness in the competition, Mahfuj Alam assured that the selection process would be transparent and inclusive. “We want deserving talents from grassroots levels to rise. The government has no personal stake in who wins. The sole objective is to highlight merit at the national level.”
The program will retain its original format, featuring music, dance, recitation, public speaking, and storytelling. The classic theme song “Amra Notun, Amra Kuri” will continue, while new theme songs may be introduced each year.
The adviser expressed confidence that the program will be completed successfully within the next three months, creating a new generation of singers, artists, and cultural workers who will play a vital role in nation-building.
