Khowai, October 1: Tripura minister Animesh Debbarma on Thursday urged the younger generation to preserve the state’s cultural heritage and promote its traditional art forms on modern platforms while paying tribute to legendary musician and composer Sachin Dev Burman on his birth anniversary.
The Department of Information and Cultural Affairs (ICA), Tripura, organised a state-level programme at New Town Hall here to commemorate the birth anniversary of the celebrated composer.
The programme began with the lighting of a ceremonial lamp by Debbarma, followed by floral tributes to Sachin Dev Burman’s portrait.
MLA Pinaki Das Chowdhury, ICA Director Bimbisar Bhattacharya, Khowai Zilla Parishad Chairperson Aparna Singh Roy and other dignitaries attended the programme.
Musical performances were also organised to remember the composer’s contribution to Indian music and showcase the enduring appeal of his compositions.
Addressing the gathering, Debbarma said Sachin Dev Burman’s music had continued to inspire and connect with audiences across generations.
He highlighted the composer’s close association with Tripura and said his music carried the influence of the state’s folk traditions and rural life.
Sachin Dev Burman was born into Tripura’s royal family on October 1, 1906. He later moved to Kolkata and Mumbai and established himself as one of India’s prominent musicians and composers. Despite his success outside the state, his music retained strong influences of his cultural roots, the minister said.
Debbarma said the composer’s life demonstrated that pursuing wider opportunities did not require abandoning one’s cultural identity.
He urged young artists to use modern technology and digital platforms to take traditional music and cultural forms to a wider audience.
The minister specifically called upon the younger generation to promote Kokborok music, Bengali folk traditions and indigenous musical instruments.
“Traditions remain alive when younger generations reinterpret and carry them forward rather than confining them to the past,” he said.
Debbarma also urged aspiring artists to remain persistent in the face of setbacks and failures.
Talent, he said, was not dependent on one’s hometown or financial circumstances, and artists from smaller towns could reach wider audiences through dedication, creativity and technology.
He said commemorating Sachin Dev Burman’s birth anniversary should not be restricted to ceremonial programmes and speeches.
Such occasions should also lead to efforts to identify emerging talent and provide young artists with opportunities to develop and showcase their abilities, he said.
The programme concluded with musical tributes to Sachin Dev Burman, celebrating his contribution to Indian music and his enduring cultural association with Tripura.
