Agartala: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in Mann Ki Baat broadcast on Sunday, highlighted the significance of Tripura’s traditional musical instrument Chongpreng and applauded Surya Kumar Debbarma for efforts to safeguard and revive the indigenous art form.Emphasising India’s diverse musical heritage, PM described the Chongpreng as a unique three-stringed bamboo instrument treasured by Tripura’s tribal communities. He said its calming melody resembles the sound of the sarod and symbolises the state’s cultural legacy.Modi said the instrument slowly faded from public view, particularly among younger audiences. But he praised Debbarma for his dedication to rekindle interest in the Chongpreng and ensure the survival of this traditional art.
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The PM also lauded Debbarma’s work in promoting Kokborok (tribal dialect) folk songs, Bengali folk music, Baul traditions and other indigenous musical forms. During the programme, he played a short recording of the Chongpreng.He urged people nationwide to share information about traditional musical instruments from their regions on social media, underlining the need to preserve India’s cultural diversity.CM Manik Saha expressed his gratitude to Modi for bringing the state’s rich cultural heritage into the national limelight and for acknowledging Debbarma’s work in preserving and popularising the Chongpreng.Saha described the bamboo-crafted, three-stringed instrument as a vital emblem of Tripura’s cultural identity and said Debbarma’s efforts have renewed interest, especially among young people.
