Agartala, 29th July 2026 : A two-day national-level seminar on the theme “Folk Literature and Culture: The Tripura Perspective” was organized by the Department of Bengali at Dharmanagar Government Degree College on July 27–28. The seminar was inaugurated by Dr. Abhijit Sarkar, Principal of Dharmanagar Government Degree College. Professor Nirmal Das—Director of the Centre for Oral Literature (North East India), Sahitya Academy (Tripura Chapter)—delivered the keynote address. Other distinguished guests and speakers included Dr. Rabindra Kumar Datta, Secretary of the Bangla Academy, Agartala; Dr. Rupashree Debnath, Professor of Bengali at Gauhati University; Dr. Padma Kumari Chakma, Professor of Bengali at Tripura University; Shri Montu Das, a renowned folk researcher from North Tripura; Dr. Suman Adhikari, Principal of Kanchanpur Government Degree College; and Dr. Srimanta Roy, Associate Professor of Bengali at Kanchanpur College. Also, present were Dr. Ankan Sinha, Secretary of the Teachers’ Council; Dr. Manik Bhattacharya, Convener of the Seminar Sub-committee; and other faculty members of the college. Researchers from various states across India, as well as from Bangladesh, presented their research papers at the seminar. Student participation in the event was notably high.
Expert discussions highlighted how folk literature and folk culture serve as vital carriers for a nation’s heritage, history, philosophy of life, and social consciousness. These are not the creations of any single individual; rather, they evolve through the lifestyles, experiences, beliefs, joys, sorrows, and social customs of ordinary people, passed down from generation to generation through oral traditions or lived practices. Speakers emphasized that folk literature and folk culture form the foundation of a nation’s identity, embodying the people’s philosophy, traditions, values, and creativity. Consequently, preserving and nurturing this heritage is not merely about remembering the past but about safeguarding a rich cultural legacy for future generations.
The discussion also covered various aspects such as the contemporary relevance of folk culture, its preservation, and its practical applications. Speakers and researchers noted that while globalization, technology, and artificial intelligence have created unprecedented opportunities for folk literature and culture, they have simultaneously posed new challenges regarding identity, authenticity, and cultural diversity. Therefore, technology should be utilized as a responsible ally rather than an adversary. The consensus was that through sound policies, research, ethical practices, and public awareness, this rich folk heritage can be preserved and passed on to future generations in an even more enriched form.
Dr. Prasanta Das, Head of the Department of Bengali, Dharmanagar College and Convener of the seminar, along with Co-convener Dr. Nandita Roy, Associate Professor in the same department, thanked all the attendees and expressed plans to undertake further initiatives regarding folk literature and culture in the future.
