Tripura’s folk artist Raju Mog has brought national recognition to the state after receiving the prestigious Raju Mog Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2025 for his contribution to preserving and promoting the traditional Sangrain dance. The honour recognises nearly two decades of dedication to indigenous performing arts and highlights the cultural heritage of the Mog community.
The award was presented by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at a ceremony held on October 19, 2026, at the Meghdoot Complex in Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi. Mog received an angavastram and a copper plaque in recognition of his artistic contribution.
Raju Mog Receives National Recognition for Sangrain Dance
Raju Mog hails from Daspara in Bir Chandra Manu, under the Santirbazar subdivision of South Tripura district. His achievement marks an important moment for Tripura’s traditional performing arts, bringing greater attention to a dance form rooted in the cultural identity of indigenous communities.
According to reports, Mog has spent nearly 20 years practising and promoting Sangrain dance. His sustained efforts have helped preserve the traditional art form and introduce its cultural significance to wider audiences.
The recognition also highlights the role of local artists who continue to practise indigenous traditions despite the challenges of sustaining traditional performing arts in a rapidly changing cultural landscape.
What Is the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar?
The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar is a prestigious national award instituted by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2006. It recognises young artists who demonstrate outstanding talent and contribute to India’s performing arts.
The award covers music, dance, theatre, traditional and folk arts, tribal performing arts, puppetry, and scholarship or contributions to the performing arts. Eligible artists must be Indian nationals aged up to 40 years, subject to the Akademi’s rules.
Each recipient receives a cash prize of Rs 25,000, a Tamrapatra and an angavastram. The honour seeks to encourage emerging artists and recognise their contributions to India’s diverse artistic traditions.
Mog’s selection for the 2025 award places Tripura’s Sangrain dance within this wider national recognition of folk and tribal cultural practices.
Raju Mog Credits Family, Mentors and the Mog Community
Following the recognition, Mog described the achievement as a collective success, acknowledging the people who supported his artistic journey. He expressed gratitude to his family, teachers, mentors, fellow artists, well-wishers and the Mog community.
He also acknowledged the contributions of his maternal uncle, Congthing Mog, and mentor Krairi Mog Choudhury. Their guidance and encouragement played an important role in developing his skills and commitment to Sangrain dance.
Such support networks are vital to traditional art forms, where knowledge is often passed between generations through practice, observation, mentorship and participation in cultural events.
Mog’s achievement therefore reflects not only individual dedication but also the contribution of the community members who help sustain indigenous artistic traditions.
Sangrain Dance Brings Tripura’s Cultural Heritage into Focus
Sangrain dance represents an important part of Tripura’s indigenous cultural landscape. Traditional dances preserve collective memory, community identity and cultural practices, while performances create opportunities for younger generations to learn about their heritage.
Recognition at the national level can help bring these traditions to audiences beyond their places of origin. It can also encourage cultural organisations, institutions and local communities to document, teach and promote traditional performance practices.
For Tripura, Mog’s award offers an opportunity to draw attention to its diverse folk traditions and the artists working to keep them alive. Greater visibility can support cultural exchange and inspire young performers to pursue traditional arts alongside contemporary creative opportunities.
National Award Ceremony Honours Young Artists
The October 19 ceremony in New Delhi recognised young artists for their contributions to India’s performing arts. The Ministry of Culture announced that 106 artists had been selected for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2024 and 2025, with the awards covering a range of artistic disciplines.
The ceremony underscored the importance of supporting emerging talent and safeguarding India’s cultural diversity. Mog’s recognition for Sangrain dance adds a significant achievement for Tripura to this national celebration.
For the state’s folk-art community, the honour is also a reminder that traditional forms deserve continued practice, public appreciation and institutional support.
Raju Mog’s achievement has placed the Sangrain dance tradition in the national spotlight and brought pride to Tripura and the Mog community. His nearly two decades of dedication demonstrate how sustained artistic commitment can help preserve cultural heritage. Continued support for performers like Mog will be important in ensuring that indigenous dance traditions remain meaningful and accessible to future generations.
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