Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb thanked Prime Minister Modi and the Union government for choosing Tripura’s centenarian Rosem player Thanga Darlong for Padma Shri.
Thanga Darlong who is from Unakoti plays traditional Darlong community flute made of bottle gourd and bamboo.
Darlong has been conferred the award in the category of art-music-flute.
Born on 20 July 1920 in Muruai village of Tripura, Thanga is considered to be one of the most accomplished performers of the Rosem and is dedicated towards preserving and promoting the traditional instrument.
Earlier he had received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2014 for his contribution to the folk music of Tripura.
Beside Thanga the Chief Minister also mentioned the name of social activist and Bharatiya Jana Sangh leader Nanaji Deshmukh, former President Pranab Mukherjee, and singer Bhupen Hazarika who will be conferred the country’s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna.