If you are a '90s kid and remember the television era, the song "Amra Notun, Amra Kuri" is bound to make you nostalgic. The theme song of the reality show Notun Kuri recalls the golden age of BTV.
However, the tune had been silent for 20 long years. First airing in 1976 as South Asia's first reality show, it ran until 2006. Now, it has returned to nurture the next generation of talent, once again. During the 90's, Notun Kuri quickly became one of BTV's most popular programs and a dream stage for children and teenagers nationwide.
Soon, many of its alumni went on to become household names later in television, theatre, and music, including Tarana Halim, Rumana Rashid, Ishita, Tareen Jahan, Meher Afroz Shaon, Nusrat Imrose Tisha, Zakia Bari Mamo, Tamalika Karmakar, Samina Chowdhury, Mehbooba Mahnoor Chandni — to name a few.
Nazmun Munira Nancy, a National Film Award-winning singer, is a '90s kid herself. Today, that little fan of Notun Kuri walks onto the same set she once watched—but now as a judge. "The legacy of Notun Kuri is so great that even after being closed for almost 20 years, listening to its iconic theme song 'Amra Notun, Amra Kuri' still hits differently, evoking a deep sense of nostalgia," she said.
The jury panel has returned with many familiar faces from the '90s era. Bringing together some of the most respected names in the industry — from Abul Hayat and Dolly Johur in the acting category, to Fatema Tuz Zohra for Nazrul Geeti, Nancy and Agun for modern songs, and former Notun Kuri winner Chandni judging general dance — BTV ensured that each performance would be evaluated with care and expertise.
Greater expectations
After independence, Notun Kuri was launched in 1976 under the production of Mustafa Monwar.
The name of the program was taken from the poem 'Kishor' by poet Golam Mostofa, with the first fifteen lines forming the show's theme song. With its arrival, young children from all walks of life found a platform to express their talents through singing, dancing, acting, recitation, storytelling, etc.
But nearly two generations have grown up without it. They are unfamiliar with a show that once defined childhood creativity in Bangladesh.
The jury panel is hopeful about its return. "We are hoping that, like before, some good artists will emerge from here. The positive side is that it has started again, and the participants will be influenced to do even better," remarked Abul Hayat.
I believe, just like before, it will be able to make a positive shift in our cultural paradigm. Aiming this platform, kids will prepare themselves, and parents and schools will emphasise their cultural activities. In the last few years, we have seen such cultural practices becoming less of a practice. And I think the lack of a platform like this one was an important factor.
Popular singer Agun reflected the same sentiment, "Thank God it has started. I am saying thank God, because BTV is a mother television channel with a really diverse range of audiences and the widest coverage. A successful talent hunt requires wide coverage and mass reach, which BTV has."
While concerns often arise about the younger generation's waning interest in cultural practices, Abul Hayat offered a hopeful perspective. "I was really inspired watching those kids perform so well. Not everyone goes with the same flow; some still devote themselves to native cultural practices. And mostly we've seen their mother is behind it."
The same optimism resonates in the words of Nazrul Geeti singer Fatema Tuz Zohra, "Since it's a national competition, it has a greater impact, and it's open for all. I am really hopeful about it. So far, I have seen these kids performing really well. Some, without even any schooling or proper training, hold great potential."
General Manager of BTV, Nurul Azam Paban, reflected on the broader impact, "I believe, just like before, it will be able to make a positive shift in our cultural paradigm. Aiming this platform, kids will prepare themselves, and parents and schools will emphasise their cultural activities. In the last few years, we have seen such cultural practices becoming less of a practice. And I think the lack of a platform like this one was an important factor."
He described the revival as a return to roots. "Notun Kuri is like a foundational platform that we are reviving from a long hiatus. We aim to run this regularly and do not want to give a gap."
A glimpse of Notun Kuri this year
Before, the competition was in 20 different categories, but because of some time constraints, the number has decreased to 12 categories in this year's edition.
These categories include acting, recitation, storytelling, comedy, general and classical dance, patriotic and modern songs, Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Geeti, folk music, and Hamd-Naat. Participants are divided into two age groups: Group A (6-11 years) and Group B (11-15 years).
Shirshendu is one of the contestants this year, competing in the acting category of Group A. He travelled all the way from Sunamganj to Dhaka for the final round.
His mother hopes the show continues regularly.
"If it stays, it will influence many other children to be engaged in cultural practices. For example, my son was losing his interest in singing, but after coming here, he saw a few participants singing so well, he told me next year he wants to participate in the Nazrul Geeti category," she said.
Registration opened on 15 August, followed by regional-level auditions held across 19 zones nationwide. According to BTV's Public Relations Department, a total of 17,450 participants registered for this edition. Since each participant could register in up to three categories, total entries reached 33,750.
From the regional stage, 6,363 contestants received "yes cards," advancing to the divisional round. Of them, 1,049 qualified for the final stage. Following that, 279 participants across 12 categories made it to the top-ten level.
Explaining the slightly unusual number, Executive Producer Moniruzzaman said, "Some participants got the same mark after the judgment, and those who got the same marks at the benchmark we selected all of them for this top ten list, which is why 39 extra participants got into the list."
Controversies over the judgement process
Some controversies have surfaced questioning the judgment process of this year's edition. The judges themselves addressed the issue.
"In our country, we usually start from zero while marking, then we add marks. But I think, in contrast to that, I will give a hundred first, then cut down the marks as they make any mistake. I don't want to influence another judge or be influenced by them. Since in the end the marks given are averaged, it ensures fairness," said Abul Hayat.
While the fairness of the judgment process, Nancy said, "Unlike other reality shows, it doesn't have a voting system or a profiling system to gain sympathy, which is easy to manipulate. Here, we judge solely based on the participants' performances. We don't know their background or who they are while judging. I think it ensures a fair judgment process."
Currently, the top-ten and top-five rounds are taking place at the BTV Centre in Dhaka. Although earlier editions aired over several months, Moniruzzaman explained that this year, given its relaunch after so many years and the constraints of an election year, the show will conclude by mid-November with the announcement of the champions.