Two artists from Tripura, Surjya Kumar Debbarma and Raju Mog, have earned national recognition in the Sangeet Natak Akademi honours for 2025. Surjya Debbarma received the Akademi Puraskar for Folk Music (Chongpreng), while Raju Mog won the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for Folk Dance, highlighting Tripura’s rich cultural heritage.
Quick Glance
- Surjya Kumar Debbarma from Tripura selected for Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 2025 in Folk Music (Chongpreng).
- Raju Mog from South Tripura receives Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2025 for Folk Dance.
- Sangeet Natak Akademi selected 108 artists for Akademi Puraskar for 2024 and 2025.
- The awards recognise contributions in music, dance, theatre, folk, tribal arts and allied performing arts.
Agartala/New Delhi: Two artists from Tripura have brought national attention to the state’s indigenous cultural traditions after receiving prestigious recognition from the Sangeet Natak Akademi. The selection of Surjya Kumar Debbarma and Raju Mog highlights the importance of folk music and traditional dance forms from the North East region.
The Sangeet Natak Akademi, India’s National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama, selected artists from across the country for its annual honours. The announcement recognised performers from multiple disciplines, including music, dance, theatre, folk arts, tribal traditions, puppetry and other performing art forms.
According to a Press Information Bureau (PIB) release, Surjya Kumar Debbarma from Tripura has been selected for the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, also known as Akademi Puraskar, for 2025. He received the honour in the Folk Music category for Chongpreng.
Chongpreng is a traditional musical instrument associated with the indigenous culture of Tripura. The recognition places the state’s traditional musical heritage on a national platform.
Surjya Kumar Debbarma Recognised for Folk Music Excellence
Surjya Kumar Debbarma earned the Akademi Puraskar under the Folk and Tribal, Puppet, Mask Making and Instrument Making category. His selection reflects his contribution towards preserving and promoting traditional folk music.
The award is considered one of the major national recognitions in India’s performing arts sector. It acknowledges artists who have made sustained contributions through their creative work.
For Tripura, the honour carries special significance because the state has a diverse cultural identity shaped by indigenous communities, traditional art forms and centuries-old practices.
Raju Mog Selected for Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar
Another Tripura artist, Raju Mog, has been selected for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2025. He received the recognition in the Folk Dance category.
The award celebrates young artists who demonstrate exceptional talent and commitment in different fields of performing arts. Raju Mog’s achievement highlights the growing recognition of Tripura’s folk dance traditions among national cultural institutions.
The selection also reflects the efforts of young artists in carrying forward traditional art forms while connecting them with wider audiences.
Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards: Key Details
The Sangeet Natak Akademi has been honouring artists since 1952. The awards recognise excellence, dedication and long-term contribution in India’s performing arts.
The award details are:
| Award Category | Recognition | Cash Prize | Additional Honour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna) | Highest honour of Sangeet Natak Akademi | Rs 3 lakh | Tamrapatra and Angavastram |
| Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (Akademi Puraskar) | Contribution to performing arts | Rs 1 lakh | Tamrapatra and Angavastram |
| Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar | Recognition for young artists | Rs 25,000 | Tamrapatra and Angavastram |
The President of India will present the Akademi Fellowship and Akademi Awards during a special investiture ceremony. The Chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi will present the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar at a separate ceremony.
Sangeet Natak Akademi Selects Artists Across India
The General Council of the Sangeet Natak Akademi conducted its meeting in New Delhi from March 22 to March 26, 2026. During the meeting, the council unanimously selected seven eminent personalities for the Akademi Fellowship, popularly known as Akademi Ratna.
The Akademi Fellowship remains a rare distinction. The institution limits the number of fellows to 40 at any given time.
The council also selected 108 artists for the Akademi Puraskar for the years 2024 and 2025. These artists represent different states and Union Territories of India.
The selected performers belong to various artistic fields, including classical and traditional music, dance, drama, folk and tribal arts, puppetry and allied theatre practices.
Young Artists Receive National Encouragement
Along with the Akademi Puraskar selections, the General Council selected 106 young artists for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2024 and 2025.
The award encourages emerging performers and supports the continuation of India’s diverse cultural traditions. It also provides a platform for young artists to gain national recognition.
Tripura’s Cultural Heritage Gets National Recognition
The selection of Surjya Kumar Debbarma and Raju Mog represents a significant moment for Tripura’s cultural sector. Their achievements showcase the state’s traditional art forms beyond regional boundaries.
The recognition strengthens the visibility of Tripura’s folk music and dance traditions. It also encourages future generations to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the state and the wider North East region.