Kumarghat, Tripura, Jan 15, 2026: The State-Level Darlong Tharlak Kut 2026, the traditional harvest festival of the Darlong community, was celebrated with grandeur and cultural pride at Kumarghat, with Manik Saha, Chief Minister of Tripura, gracing the occasion as the chief guest.
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| Manik Saha, Chief Minister sounding the gong |
The festival, centred on the harvest of winter crops, showcased vibrant traditional dances, folk songs, rituals, indigenous attire and cultural performances, reflecting the agrarian heritage and deep-rooted traditions of the Darlong Community. This year’s celebrations were held under the theme “Feathers of Time,” symbolising the community’s journey from ancestral wisdom through historical struggles to modern confidence, while remaining firmly rooted in tradition.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Manik Saha recalled his personal association with the Darlong community’s long-standing struggle for recognition. He said that early in his political career, he was given a very short time to study and present the case for the Darlong community to be enlisted as a tribal community.
“Within one and a half hours, I had to gather information and speak on your behalf so that the Darlong community could be enlisted as a tribal community. After that, it was enlisted, and I am very happy,” he said, describing it as one of the most memorable moments of his public life.
The Chief Minister noted that the Darlong community, now numbering around 11,000, has shown remarkable progress in education, culture and public service, with members serving in various important positions in local administration. He said festivals like Tharlak Kut strengthen unity and solidarity while conveying respect for the wisdom and knowledge of ancestors.
Highlighting the historical significance of recent developments, Saha said the official recognition of the Darlong community as a residual tribe under the Constitution (Amendment Act, 2022) marked a major milestone, ending decades of pain caused by the lack of formal recognition. “This constitutional recognition is recognition of self-respect, self-identity and cultural dignity,” he said, adding that since 2022, Tharlak Kut has acquired a new dimension as a state-level festival included in the annual calendar of the ICA Department.
The Chief Minister outlined the state government’s extensive focus on tribal welfare, stating that nearly 40 per cent of the state’s development expenditure is directed towards tribal area development. He cited investments in education, health, infrastructure, livelihoods and cultural preservation, including scholarships, hostels, new schools, women entrepreneurship programmes, sports facilities and special livelihood packages.
He also highlighted major initiatives such as the resolution of the Bru refugee issue, surrender of insurgent groups, enhanced financial support to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), and recognition of tribal products like risa and pachra with GI tags. Stressing social issues, he reiterated the government’s message against drug abuse, saying, “If football is a game, drugs are shame.”
Concluding his address, Saha said tribal communities form the foundation of Tripura’s culture and identity, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting their rights, land, dignity and heritage while ensuring inclusive development. He wished the Darlong Tharlak Kut 2026 a grand success and called for unity to build a new Tripura.
