Agartala, August 5: Culture plays a crucial role in achieving mental and spiritual peace, said Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha while addressing the first meeting of the reconstituted State-Level Cultural Advisory Committee at Conference Hall No. 2 of the State Secretariat today.
The Chief Minister, who is also the Chairman of the committee, emphasized the need to showcase Tripura’s rich and diverse cultural heritage on the global stage. He called for transforming the development of culture into a mass movement to preserve and promote the traditional and composite cultural identity of the state.
The reconstituted committee consists of 39 members. At the beginning of the meeting, the Chief Minister interacted with the newly inducted members and highlighted that “culture is the ornament of society.” He said innovation and modern approaches are essential to keeping culture alive and relevant, especially among the youth. He stressed the importance of preserving the traditional culture of all communities, including Indigenous groups, while infusing newness into cultural activities.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s consistent emphasis on skill development, the Chief Minister said all fields, including culture, must focus on upskilling artists across the state. He urged the identification of talented artists at the grassroots level and providing them with the necessary support. The CM also expressed concern that traditional art forms like Kirtan, puppet shows, and folk theatre (Jatra) are vanishing due to modern pressures, and called for their revival through innovative thinking.
Subrata Chakraborty, Vice Chairman of the Cultural Advisory Committee, also spoke during the meeting and urged all communities to come forward to preserve the cultural legacy of Tripura, irrespective of caste or tribe.
Welcoming the gathering, Dr. P.K. Chakraborty, Secretary of the Information & Cultural Affairs (ICA) Department, presented a detailed account of the department’s year-round programs. He announced that 19 new cultural initiatives have been added to the ICA Department’s 2025–26 annual calendar. So far this financial year, 24 cultural organizations have received financial assistance for conducting cultural activities.
He also proposed the organization of a signature state festival, a Tripura Idol competition from block to state level, and the formulation of a comprehensive Cultural Policy.
Tourism Department Director Prashant Badal Negi, ICA Director Bimbisar Bhattacharjee, and other departmental officials were also present during the meeting, along with various committee members who shared their views on advancing Tripura’s cultural landscape.
