Three-Day Kirtan Workshop Inaugurated By ICA Department.

Agartala, Tripura, 29th of August, 2026 : A three-day workshop on Kirtan, organized by the Information and Cultural Affairs (ICA) Department, began Friday (28th August, 2026) at Bhagat Singh Youth Hostel, Agartala. Biswajit Shil, the officiating Sabhadhipati of the West Tripura Zilla Parishad, attended the inaugural ceremony as chief guest. Hon’ble Deputy Mayor of Agartala Municipal Corporation Monika Das Dutta, , was present as guest of honour. Dr. Monika Das, officiating Principal of Sachin Dev Barman Memorial Government Music College, and Subrata Chakraborty, Vice Chairman of the State-level Cultural Advisory Committee, attended as special guests. Also present was Bimbisar Bhattacharya, Director of ICA Department. Renowned artistes Dr. Debabrata Mallick and Suman Bhattacharya from Kolkata took part as resource persons for the workshop, along with Kirtan artistes from various parts of the state.

Speaking at the event, Biswajit Shil, officiating Sabhadhipati of the West Tripura Zilla Parishad, said that while keeping pace with modernity, it is extremely important to preserve one’s roots, heritage, and culture. He said Kirtan is an important part of Tripura’s long-standing cultural tradition, and called on everyone to take initiative to ensure that this heritage is not lost and reaches future generations properly. He said the three-day workshop would enable an exchange of knowledge and experience among artistes and would also play an important role in nurturing a new generation of performers. Given the growing demand for Kirtan troupes in the state, he stressed the need to develop a larger number of skilled Kirtan artistes within Tripura itself.

Subrata Chakraborty, Vice Chairman of the State Cultural Advisory Committee, said that the mixing of various popular songs with Kirtan is currently eroding its fundamental character. He said this initiative was therefore undertaken to preserve Kirtan’s distinctive form, melody, and tradition, and to present it properly to the next generation. He added that the workshop places special emphasis on preserving and reviving the essential features of various Kirtan styles, including Padabali Sankirtan and Pala Kirtan.

In his welcome address, ICA Director Bimbisar Bhattacharya said Kirtan is not merely devotional music but a valuable asset of Bengal’s folk culture. He said the combination of melody, rhythm, and devotion in Kirtan plays an important role in fostering harmony, human values, and cultural consciousness in society. He further said that, under the Chief Minister’s guidance, Kirtan has been given an important place in the state’s annual cultural calendar, and there are plans to organize a larger-scale “Kirtan Festival” in the future.

Monika Das Dutta, Deputy Mayor of Agartala Municipal Corporation, also spoke at the event. Four Kirtan musicians (instrumentalists) were felicitated on the occasion. Kirtan artistes and organizers from various parts of the state participated in this three-day workshop, which is expected to play an important role in preserving the essential features of Kirtan, enhancing artistes’ skills, and maintaining continuity of this cultural tradition.