Guwahati, January 20: The Governor of Manipur and Nagaland Ajay Kumar Bhalla, who also serves as the Chairman of the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), graced the Young Talented Artistes Award Ceremony held during the 21st edition of Shilpgram Mahotsav 2026 in Guwahati.
The prestigious ceremony celebrated young artistes from across the North Eastern States whose talent, creativity and dedication continue to enrich India’s vibrant cultural landscape. Addressing the gathering, the Governor lauded the awardees for preserving and promoting the diverse artistic traditions of the region.
Special recognition was accorded to artistes from Manipur, who were honoured for their outstanding contributions in various art forms over the past three years.
For the 2023–2024 award cycle, Mutum Bangkimchandra Meitei received the Young Talented Artistes Award in Folk & Tribal Music (Pena).
The 2024–2025 award was conferred on Heikrujam Mangalleima for excellence in Theatre.
For 2025–2026, Ningthoujam Nganthoibi Devi was honoured in the category of Folk Songs (Meitei).
Warm congratulations were extended to all awardees from the Northeast, with officials noting that such recognitions play a vital role in encouraging young artistes and safeguarding the region’s rich cultural heritage.
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The award ceremony formed a key highlight of Shilpgram Mahotsav 2026, reaffirming the commitment of cultural institutions to nurture emerging talent and promote the artistic legacy of the North East at the national level.
