The prizes for the winners of Bangladesh Television’s (BTV) ‘Notun Kuri’ 2025 competition were distributed today. Photo: CA's Press Wing

DHAKA, Nov 13, 2025 (BSS) – The prizes for the winners of Bangladesh Television’s (BTV) ‘Notun Kuri’ 2025 competition were distributed today, with Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus presenting the awards to the champions of the popular children’s talent contest.

The ceremony was held at the Shapla Hall of the Chief Adviser's Office (CAO) here. 

In Group ‘Ka’, Preyosi Chakraborty from Tangail emerged champion, while Shubho Mita Talukdar from Sunamganj topped in Group ‘Kha’. Each received a crest and a cheque amounting to Tk three lakh.

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md. Mahfuj Alam attended the event as special guest, while Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farzana presided over the function.

Under the initiative of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the state-run BTV arranged the iconic children's talent hunt programme ‘Notun Kuri’ 2025 where thousands of participants from across the country contested in 12 categories, including dance, music, recitation, comedy, storytelling, and acting.

Launched in 1976 as the subcontinent’s first and largest reality show, ‘Natun Kuri’ has long served as a platform to nurture young talent in arts and culture. 

The competition, which had been discontinued in 2005, made its return this year after two decades following the directive of the Chief Adviser, marking the revival of the historic programme.

This year, 39,000 contestants registered online. Regional rounds were held from September 24 to 29 across 19 regions, followed by divisional and final selection rounds. 

A total of 279 contestants reached the “Top Ten” phase, from which the best five were chosen.
Among the finalists was a dancer from the haor region of Sunamganj who, despite being born with one leg, captivated everyone with remarkable talent. 

From the final round, 36 winners from Group ‘Ka’, 37 from Group ‘Kha’, and the top ten overall were selected as this year’s ‘Natun Kuri’ stars.

Over the years, the ‘Natun Kuri’ stage has produced many leading figures in Bangladesh’s cultural arena, including Nusrat Imrose Tisha, Rumana Rashid Ishita, Kanak Chapa, Samina Chowdhury, Hemanti Rakhshit Das and dancer Chandni — all of whom have brought glory to the nation at home and abroad.