Nolok becomes Close Up 1

A proud mother embraces her son Nolok Babu after he emerges as the Close Up 1 at Hotel Sonargaon in the city last night while Beauty, second runner-up, looks on. Razib became first runner-up. The final round of 'Close Up 1 -- Tomakei Khujchhe Bangladesh', a star search programme, organised by the NTV ended on the night of Victory Day.. PHOTO: STAR

He is Nolok Babu -- the newest star in the music world. From the narrow roads of Jamalpur district to the stage in Dhaka, he stood straight.

Nolok was crowned Close Up 1 last night after his long struggle of seven months and checking and cross-checking by three judges as well as votes by people.

Finally, the best judges were mass people who sent SMS and voted for Nolok online awarding him 7,85,391 votes to become the best in the competition titled 'Close up one -- Tomakei Khujchhe Bangladesh'. He secured a total of 91 marks.

He never received any formal training or had any knowledge about the grammar of music. Music is in his heart.

At a colourful award giving ceremony held at Sonargaon Hotel in the city, Nolok received Tk 10 lakh and a Nissan Sunny car, apart from other prizes.

Of the two other finalists, Razib became the first runner-up although he was believed to be the most competent candidate who got the highest mark from the panel of three judges. He bagged 3,13,946 votes from the SMS messages and online voters.

Beauty, the 'Lalan Kannya' (Daughter of Lalan), became the second-runner-up. She got 3,20,328 votes.

The competition, a highly acclaimed star search programme, was organised by the NTV, a private TV channel. Its final round took place on the Victory Day.

The judges -- Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul, Kumar Biswajit and Samina Chowdhury -- requested the new stars to continue their practice to enrich the Bangla music.

NTV Chairman Mosaddek Ali Falu MP, Country Director of Unilever Sanjeev Mehta, Asiatic Marketing Communications CEO Aly Zaker and Deputy Managing Director Asaduzzaman Noor MP gave away the prizes.