Baul music is a part of our folk culture, which is why further development of Baul music is important for our culture to prosper. Baul culture originated from the fields and villages of rural Bengal. It expresses the emotions of rural Bengal, said Information & Cultural Affairs Minister Sushanta Choudhury after inaugurating 2-day 4th State-Level Baul Festival yesterday, organized jointly by Tripura Lok Sanskriti Sangsad and Information & Cultural Affairs department with the assistance of Ranirbazar Municipal Council, Jirania Nagar Panchayat and Jirania Panchayat Samiti. ICA Minister felicitated Senior Baul Artist Subal Das Bishnab, Folk Artist Girindra Majumdar and Folk Artist Gouranga Chandra Deb with scarves and certificates in the inaugural programme. A memento was offered to the ICA Minister on behalf of Tripura Lok Sanskriti Sangsad during the programme. A requisition for providing financial assistance to the artistes of the organization was also handed over to the Minister. 46 Baul artistes coming from across the state are participating in the 2-day State-Level Baul Festival.
ICA Minister said, the time to enjoy such festival has lessened in the age of internet and hi-tech. But among all this, we must preserve our culture, as culture binds the society and the country together, a solid society is built. He said, our government is working to keep both the culture and people associated with culture alive, which is why this festival has been organized. And ICA department is performing its duty well in this regard. He said, 4 cultural teams will be formed by each ICA department office of 58 blocks of the state. Each team will consist of 25 members. The team will also consist of Baul singers. Apart from this, the matter to provide financial assistance to the artistes is under consideration. He lauded Prime Minister’s and Chief Minister’s efforts towards cultural development. Others present in the programme were Chairman of Jirania Panchayat Samiti Manju Das, Vice Chairman Pritam Debnath, Vice Chairman of Ranirbazar Municipal Council Prabir Kumar Das, Chairman of Jirania Panchayat Ratan Kumar Das, socialist Gouranga Bhoumik, and Jirania Block BDO Utpal Chakma. The programme was presided over by President of Tripura Lok Sanskriti Sangsad Arun Nath. Welcome speech was delivered by member of Tripura Lok Sanskriti Sangsad Manoranjan Das.
