Ramapada Jamatia for Sangeet Natak Award

Agartala, Mar 23: The Union Ministry of Tourism and Culture has selected Tribal Ramapada Jamatia for the Sangeet Natak Akademi's Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for the year 2006.

Mr Jamatia, who belongs to the Jamatia tribe community in Tripura, has been selected for the award for his contribution to tribal dance and music of the state according to a government release here today.

Of the total seven persons selected in this field from all over the country, two others were from Nagaland and Manipur of NE region.

The objective of the new award instituted by the Centre was to identify and encourage oustanding young talents in diverse fields of performing arts and give them national recognition, the release said.

The Yuva Puraskar carries a purse money of Rs 25,000 and a copper plaque which will be presesented by Mr Ram Niwas Mirdha, chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademy at a special function to be held today in the national capital.

UNI