CloseUp1

CloseUp1: Tomakei Kujchche Bangladesh is a Bangladeshi reality television programme similar to American Idol and the rest of the Idol series.

Closeup1 2006: Finale Closeup1 created a sensation when about 40,000 young hopeful singers nationwide applied to take part in the seven months of grueling competition. The final performance round of the show began with our National Anthem on December 16, our Victory Day, the fitting theme was patriotic songs. Nolok kicked off with a rendition of 'Mago bhabna kano' composed by Hemanta Mukhopadhyay. The performance was soulful, and had the zest the songs calls for. Nolok proved it again that versatility is his strength. Predominantly a folk singer, he can render anything dished out to him and that too with precision.

By winning the first ever 'Bangladeshi Idol', Nolok Babu has got a 'made' career in music - a music contract worth Taka 1,000,000. Other rewards include a brand new car by Brac Bank. Nolok Babu, age 20, started singing in public after his father walked out when he was nine.

"When he was nine, his mother became ill. Together both of us started singing on the trains and since Babu's voice was so good, every day we could earn about 80 taka a day", Babar Ali, a close friend of Nolok Babu, said to the 'Doinik Amar Desh', a Bengali daily newspaper.

"He's a natural singer. His voice is full and soothing. I am not surprised at all as he walked away with the first prize", added Bangladeshi rock star Partha Barua on NTV.

Nolok Babu got as many as 784,391 of votes to win this competition quite convincingly, while Razib and Beauty got 313,946 votes and 320,328 votes respectively. But Razib got 49 points and both Nolok & Beauty got 39 points from the three judges of closeup1 : Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul, Kumar Bishawjit and Samina Chowdhury.

As a 1st runner-up, Razib got a music contract of 500,000 taka and as a third runner-up, beauty received a contract worth 300,000 taka. Besides these, Shamapti Roy was awarded 'Closeup1 Confidence Award' for taking part in this competition in spite of the limitation of her blindness and poverty. She got 100,000 taka. And Champa Banik was awarded 'Closeup1 Personality Award' who had left this tournament from an important round for the sake of the birth of her new born child. She got 50 thousands taka.

The grand final of the 'Closeup1- Tomakei Khujchhe Bangladesh' ( Closeup1-Bangladesh is searching for you) was arranged at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel on the last night. Besides the invited guests, thousands of viewers at home & abroad enjoyed the live telecast of this 'Closeup1 Winner Announcement Program' in NTV. The gorgeous arrangements, beautiful lighting - all became glace-less by the flawless performance & melodious music by the Closeup1 participants.