Duronto TV brings children-first specials for Durga Puja

As Durga Puja draws near, Duronto TV, the country's only dedicated children's channel, has unveiled a festive line-up designed to delight its young viewers while honouring cultural traditions.

At the heart of the schedule is the drama "Hoi Hoi Holla", directed by Partha Pratim Haldar. The story follows Dr Safdar Chowdhury and the children of his apartment block as they organise a Puja and attempt to stage a play, setting off a string of comic mishaps. The cast features child actors Kazi Afra Evelina, Ishrak Turjo, Samadrita Prahar, Ayaz Mahmud, Raida R Juni and Kawsar bin Mamun, alongside veterans Abul Hayat and Shahnaz Khushi. It will air on Ashtami, Nabami and Dashami at 11:30am and 8:00pm.

Food lovers can tune into "Banai Mojar Khabar Ma-Baba Ar Ami", where children cook Puja favourites such as luchi, labra, payesh and fish paturi with their parents. Directed by Amina Noshin Raisa and hosted by chef Afifa Akhtar Lita, the programme features Grihi Saha and her mother, Srinidhi Sarkar Radhika and her father, and Purna Anandita with her mother. Broadcasts are scheduled for 1 pm and 9 pm across the three main days.

Duronto will also air "Sharadiyo Adda", a storytelling session that captures the spirit of Puja through intergenerational conversation. Featuring child performers Purna Anandita, Ukti Adhikari and Sworgo, the episode stars Sharmila Bandyopadhyay as the beloved grandmother figure recounting festive memories and myths. It airs on Ashtami at 10 am.