CM Manik Saha Hails PM Modi for Spotlighting Tripura's Choungpreng
Synopsis
Tripura CM Dr. Manik Saha praised PM Modi for spotlighting the revival of the Choungpreng, a three-stringed bamboo tribal instrument, on Mann Ki Baat, crediting local musician Suraj Kumar Debbarma for preserving this indigenous tradition and bringing it back to younger generations.
Key Takeaways
Manik Saha publicly thanked PM Narendra Modi for mentioning the Choungpreng on Mann Ki Baat .
The Choungpreng is a three-stringed bamboo instrument traditional to Tripura's tribal communities, with a tone likened to the sarod.
Local musician Suraj Kumar Debbarma was credited with reviving interest in the instrument among younger generations.
Mann Ki Baat has been a platform since October 2014 for the PM to highlight citizen-led cultural and social initiatives.
The national recognition is expected to encourage state-level workshops, exhibitions, and training programmes for the Choungpreng.
The mention fits a broader pattern of the central government using national platforms to preserve declining indigenous musical traditions from the Northeast.
Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Sunday, 27 July 2025, expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the PM highlighted the revival of Tripura's traditional tribal instrument, the Choungpreng, on his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat. The CM credited local musician Suraj Kumar Debbarma for his tireless efforts in preserving and promoting the instrument, calling the national recognition a proud moment for the state.
Context
In his post, Dr. Saha wrote that PM Modi made a 'special mention' of Suraj Kumar Debbarma's 'unique initiative' in preserving and spreading the Choungpreng during a recent episode of Mann Ki Baat. The CM described the instrument as 'a unique example of India's rich cultural heritage' and thanked the Prime Minister for 'bringing this glorious cultural tradition of Tripura to the national stage.' Mann Ki Baat (মান কি বাত, literally 'words of the heart') is a monthly radio address PM Modi has hosted since October 2014, frequently used to spotlight citizen-led initiatives across the country.
Policy Backdrop
The Choungpreng is a three-stringed bamboo instrument deeply rooted in Tripura's tribal communities. Dr. Saha noted that its melodious tone bears a resemblance to the classical sarod, and that while its popularity among younger generations had waned over time, Debbarma's sustained efforts have helped the instrument regain recognition among the new generation. Central government platforms such as Mann Ki Baat have periodically spotlighted regional folk instruments and tribal arts from the Northeast, fitting a broader pattern of using national media to encourage intergenerational transmission of indigenous musical traditions.
Stakeholders and Impact
The primary beneficiaries of this national recognition are Tripura's tribal communities and cultural practitioners who have long worked to keep indigenous art forms alive. For Suraj Kumar Debbarma, the PM's mention on a programme with a vast national listenership represents significant validation that could attract students, patrons, and institutional support to the Choungpreng tradition. State governments across the Northeast have run parallel documentation and training programmes alongside such national mentions, and Tripura is expected to build on this momentum.
What's Next
The spotlight on the Choungpreng could prompt the Tripura government to organise follow-up workshops, cultural exhibitions, or formal training programmes to sustain interest generated by the national mention. Cultural practitioners and tribal art bodies in the state will be watching whether the recognition translates into sustained institutional support, including funding for instrument-making, performance platforms, and curriculum integration in tribal areas. Future episodes of Mann Ki Baat may also revisit Tripura's cultural heritage if the state's revival efforts continue to gain traction.
Point of View
Particularly from the Northeast. For CM Dr. Manik Saha, amplifying this mention serves a dual political and cultural purpose: it aligns Tripura's tribal identity with the BJP-led government's broader cultural nationalism narrative while also providing genuine institutional visibility to a practitioner like Suraj Kumar Debbarma. The move reflects how national radio can function as a soft policy instrument, nudging state governments and private patrons toward action without formal mandates. Whether this recognition translates into sustained funding and curriculum integration will be the real test of its long-term impact.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Choungpreng instrument from Tripura?
The Choungpreng is a traditional three-stringed bamboo instrument deeply rooted in Tripura's tribal communities, known for a melodious tone similar to the classical sarod. It is considered a unique example of the state's indigenous cultural heritage.
Why did PM Modi mention Choungpreng on Mann Ki Baat?
PM Modi highlighted musician Suraj Kumar Debbarma's efforts to preserve and revive the Choungpreng during a recent episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, which regularly spotlights citizen-led cultural and social initiatives.
Who is Suraj Kumar Debbarma?
Suraj Kumar Debbarma is a Tripura-based musician credited with reviving the traditional Choungpreng instrument and reintroducing it to younger generations through sustained personal effort.
What is Mann Ki Baat?
Mann Ki Baat is a monthly radio address hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi since October 2014, used to highlight citizen initiatives, cultural heritage, and social achievements from across India.
What did Tripura CM Manik Saha say about the Choungpreng mention?
CM Dr. Manik Saha expressed gratitude to PM Modi for bringing Tripura's Choungpreng tradition to the national stage and praised Suraj Kumar Debbarma's relentless efforts in ensuring the instrument gains recognition among the new generation.
