Tripura has been named on the nation’s cultural firmament once again. Tarubala Debbarma from Tripura was feted with the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for her contribution to the field of folk music and dance in Tripura.    

 

Tarubala Debbarma received this prestigious award for the year 2020 from President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi.

 

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, presented the Sangeet Natak Akademi’s Fellowships (Akademi Ratna) and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puruskar) for the years 2019, 2020, and 2021 in New Delhi.  

 

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that civilization showcases the material achievements of a nation, but intangible heritage reveals through its culture. Culture is the real identity of a country. India’s unique performing arts have kept our incredible culture alive for centuries. Our arts and artists are the carriers of our rich cultural heritage. ‘Unity in diversity’ is the biggest feature of our cultural traditions.

 

The Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards are the highest national recognition conferred for practicing artists. The Akademi also confers Fellowships to eminent artists and scholars of music, dance, and drama. Furthermore, in 2006, the Akademi instituted an annual award for young artists – the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar.