Tripura

Quietly nestled in the lush greenery of hills, verdant valleys and transparent waterscape, Tripura, a land of plentiful myths and legends, beckon tourists from across the globe. This state, home to nineteen indigenous tribal groups, Bengali speaking non-tribals and a diversity of culture, resembles a tiny dot on the peninsular India's map dangling between Northeast India and Bangladesh. But the wealth of Tripura's traditional art, culture, history and archaeology, flora and fauna, biodiversity and flushing meadows always cast a magnetic spell on casual visitors and tourists. The state's rich handicrafts, traditional music, diversity of cultural streams and faiths, co-existing down the annals of history in pristine peace constitute its irresistible charm as a tourist destination. Any visitor or tourist in Tripura can trace the state's glorious history in its archaeological remains, cultural heritage, exquisite sculpture and architecture spread across its landscape and return, richer by a finer aesthetic sense and sensibility.

With communities across the globe searching for roots , expressions such as ‘Cultural Identity', ‘Cultural Relativism' and ‘Cultural Mosaic' dominate scholarly discourse all around. But in the context of Tripura, it is the cultural cross-currents which unite the people in a spirit of amity and harmony. The undulating hillscape of the state-sixty percent of the Tripura’s territory is still covered with lush greenery of forest-resonate with the traditional tribal music and dances on ceremonial occasions.

 On the plains dotted with paddy fields, lakes, rivers and green-capped habitations the sombre notes of ‘Rabindra Sangeet'( Musical compositions of Rabindra Nath Tagore), ‘Nazrul Geeti' (Songs composed and tined by poet Kazi Nazrul Islam) and lilting melodies of maestro Sachin Debbarman add to the colour of life and society. The ‘Jari' and ‘Sari?dances of the Muslim community, joyous celebrations of Christmas and the quiet ambience of the ‘Buddha Purnima' enrich the cultural diversity of the state . But the essential unity underlying Tripura’s cultural diversity finds eloquent expression in adaptations across the barrier of language and heritage.

The non-tribal Bengalis have appropriated the annual weeklong worship in the temple of ‘Chaturdash Debta', a traditional festival of the indigenous tribals, in the month of July while tribals–and for that matter-the entire population enthusiastically participate in and enjoy the festivities associated with the five day ‘Durga Puja'.

This process has gained in momentum by the catholicity of culture practised by the kings of Manikya dynasty who ruled the state for more than five centuries and their magnanimous espousal of cultural cross-currents. The inevitable fall-out of this was the domination of Indian film and popular music spanning five decades by maestro Sachin Debbarman, a scion of Tripura’s royal family and the overwhelming appreciation showered on a troupe of Reang tribal girls who enthralled a Japanese audience with delicately rhythmic performance of their traditional ‘Hozagiri' dance in an auditorium of Tokyo.

Food habits and popular tastes in Tripura

Tripura’s cultural diversity is reflected in the food habits of the tribal and non-tribal people. Leaving aside the rich spicy food or even two or three varieties of Chinese cuisine served in restaurants in urban centres, the non-tribal Bengalis of Tripura live on rice, fish, chicken, mutton and pork though a small section of Muslims consume beef which is not easily available in the state. However, the non-tribals take great pains in preparing spicy curries of a large variety of fishes available in plenty within the state and also imported from Bangladesh. The most popular and delicious preparation of fish is, however, the boiled ‘Hilsa’ punched with mustard seed and green chilly.

Wah (Lamp) Festival

The people of Mog community observe austerity from the full moon of Bengali month of Ashad down to the full moon Bengali month of Ashwin.

 Generally no auspicious occasion of Ashad down to the full moon of Bengali month of Ashwin. Generally no auspicious occasion like marriage is celebrated during the period.

 Even the married women do not go to their parents' house during this time. 'Way' festival is celebrated on the day of full moon of the Bengali month of Ashwin. Lamps dedicated to the Lord Buddha are launched on this day. The young boys and girls stand in rows with lamps in hand to worship the Lord Buddha. The youngsters indulge in merriment through songs and dances in the premises of Buddha temple. The traditional dance of the Mog community is known as 'Way Dance' or 'Lamp Dance'.