Guwahati

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said his government was committed to preserving and promoting the rich cultural traditions of the state.

Congratulating the recipients of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards and Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar from the state, Sarma said Sattriya, folk traditions, theatre, music, and cultural roots define the people of Assam.

''Heartiest congratulations to Assam’s artistes honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards and Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar,'' the CM said in a post on X.

''As we accelerate Assam’s development journey, we remain equally committed towas preserving and promoting our rich virasat of Sattriya, folk traditions, theatre and music, for our cultural roots define who we are," Sarma said.

The Sangeet Natak Akademi awards and Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for the years 2024 and 2025 were announced on Wednesday.

The recipients of Sangeet Natak Akademi awards for the year 2024 are Prema Oja Borbayan for Sattriya dance and Bipul Chandra Das for Kathak dance.

The awardees for 2025 are Chetna Das for acting, Mallika Kandali for Sattriya dance and Bhaskar Jyoti Oja for Sattriya music.

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The winners of the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2024 are Minakshi Das for Sattriya dance, Dilip Hira for folk music and Bidyut Kumar Nath for theatre direction.

The awardees for 2025 are Niranjan Saikia Borbayan for Sattriya dance, Debajit Saikia for Khol percusion and Hirak Jyoti Sarma for Takari geet (folk music).