Sisimpur () is the Bangladeshi version of the children's television series Sesame Street. The show premiered in April 2005 on Bangladesh Television and aims to make learning enjoyable for children. The series is co-produced by Bangladesh-based Nayantara Communications and Sesame Workshop. It was Bangladesh's first children's educational program and was expected to be seen by 4 million children in its first two years. Production Local production designers localized the backdrop for the show by building a set featuring a rural street with a banyan tree and tea and sweet shops. USAID committed US$7 million in funding over the first three years. USAID funding for the show has continued as of 2022. The creation of Sisimpur was described in detail in the 2005 documentary The World According to Sesame Street. Messaging Content for the series was created in collaboration with local educators. The series promotes values like self-respect, empathy, and cooperation, and subjects such as girls' education, nutrition, hygiene, safety, and cultural traditions and diversity. The fourteenth season focused on empathy as its theme. Characters Muppet characters include: Halum is a Bengal tiger who loves fish, fruits, and vegetables. Halum was designed by Ed Christie and built by Rollie Krewson. The character was voiced by Ashraful Ashish. Ikri Mikri is a small 3-year-old blue monster. Within the character's imagination are three marionettes named Bhutto, Gaanwalla, and Hatim, who act out Bangladeshi folk tales. Ikri Mikri was designed by Ed Christie and built by Ann Marie Holdgruen. This character was voiced by Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed and later Kabyakatha Proteeti. Shiku is a small and curious 5-year-old jackal. Shiku was designed by Ed Christie and built by Victoria Ellis. This character was voiced by Shuvangkar Das Shuvo. Tuktuki is an inquisitive 5-year-old girl who loves school and cricket. Tuktuki was designed by Ed Christie and built by Ann Marie Holdgruen. This character was voiced by Sayma Karim with Parvin Paru often assisting. Manik-Ratan: A pair of two sheep. Together they are addressed as Manik-Ratan. Grover Raya The show has no full-body puppet character and, thus, no equivalent to Big Bird. Human characters include: Lal Mia: postman; the actor later died, and the character died within the show, a la Mr. Hooper. Mukul Moira: university graduate and a nursery owner (played by Chanchal Chowdhury). Sumona Moira: local school teacher. (played by Runa Khan) Guni Moira: sweet shop owner (played by Syed Dulal) Asha Moira: