‘Notun Kuri’ returning to BTV

The popular children’s cultural competition, ‘Notun Kuri’, is making a comeback on Bangladesh Television (BTV) to encourage the artistic, literary, and cultural talents of children and teenagers across the country.

Md. Mahfuz Alam, Adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, announced the launch of the competition’s registration process at a ceremony held on Sunday at the BTV headquarters in Rampura, Dhaka. He highlighted that the competition aims to provide young participants with a platform to showcase their talents and represent Bangladesh at the national level.

Speaking on the occasion, Mahfuz traced the history of ‘Notun Kuri,’ noting that it was first introduced during the tenure of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman. However, it was discontinued under the subsequent government led by Sheikh Hasina due to political reasons.

“Setting aside political considerations, the ‘Notun Kuri’ competition is being revived to nurture the new generation of artists, singers, and cultural activists who will contribute to nation-building,” he said.

Reflecting on the spirit of the July people's uprising, the adviser added, “The participants of the uprising dreamed of a new Bangladesh, and this competition is dedicated to that vision and its new generation.”

Regarding the format of the competition, Mr. Alam assured that there would be minimal changes this year, with the event following the traditional structure. He emphasized that the judging process would uphold the highest standards of transparency, warning that any signs of bias would be dealt with strictly.

Highlighting challenges in the cultural sector during the past 16 years under the Awami League government, Mr. Alam remarked that a patron-client system had distorted the cultural framework within government institutions. He expressed hope that ‘Notun Kuri’ would empower children to develop their talents and represent the country beyond party lines.

The ceremony also included a cake-cutting event with children, symbolizing the joyous restart of the competition. Balloons and pigeons were released to mark the occasion. The event was attended by Mahbuba Farzana, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Md. Mahbubul Alam, Director General of BTV, and other senior officials.