Tripuri culture owes its exuberance to the tribal populous, comprising of tribes like Maslums, Chakmas etc, each amalgamating the whole of the cultural heritage its individuality and ethnicity. Close association of Poet Rabindranath Tagore with Tripura has imbued luster to the rich cultural heritage of the state. All the tribes have their individual dance forms. The main dance forms are Hozagiri, Lebang Boomani, Jhum, etc. Tripura also has a long tradition of making exquisite crafts from cane and bamboo and also woodcarving. Festivals of Tripura as well as the culinary items are in harmony with the rest of India, especially to those of the Eastern region.
Festivals of Tripura
The enthusiastic Tripuri folks celebrate all the main Indian festivals in great festivity, thus making them an integral part of Tripuri culture. They have also added festivals of local origination to the list of popular occasions. The worship of the fourteen deities called Kharchi Puja is feted in July where Tripuris take part in great delight. Offering goats and pigeons at the alter of Gods is a common aspect of the festival. Ker and Garia Pujas are traditional tribal festivals. Ker is renowned two weeks after Kharchi Puja, commemorating Ker, the guardian deity of Vastu Devata .The Garia is a public festival. Sacrifice of cocks is a vital trait of the Puja. Another tribal festival, namely, Ganga Puja is the festival of blooming of rice crops and is held in the month of March or April.
Music and Dance of Tripura
Music and Dance ennobles Tripuri culture and nobody can deny it. Garia dances held for the prosperity of the people; `Bizu` dances by the Chakmas denote the conclusion of the Bengali calendar year; `Hai Hak` dances of the Halams and the Cheraw dance connected with the imprisonment of Lusai woman, are some illustrious examples. `Basanta Raas` is the charismatic dance of the Hindu `Manipuris`, in the state of Tripura. Tripura culture is very productive in folk genre of music. The singer Hemanta Jamatia is a renowned name in the arena of Indian music, contributing to the nation with its plethora of melodious tunes and songs. Tripuris employ melodic instruments of music, namely the Kham, made of wood and animal skin; the Sumui or flute made of bamboo, Sarinda, Chongpreng, Dangdu and cymbals are popular among native Tripuris.
Cuisine of Tripura
Tripura culture is noted for its exclusive and unique culinary delights. The Tripuri people label their customary cuisine as Mui Borok. Rice is the staple food. Varieties of delicious dishes are prepared from rice. Tripuris are non- veggies. Pork, chicken, fish and prawns are the hot- favorites for Tripuris. A few sections of Vaishnavaites savor main foods like Chakhwi, Mwkhwi, Muitru. Among the sumptuous vegetable, Khaklu, Chakumura, pumpkin, Siping, brinjal , Belso are worth mentioning.
Life style of Tripura
Tripuri culture is glorified by the simple, yet creative and artistic excellence of the tribal communities of the region. Being a part of North-Eastern region of India, it is noted for the exotic mountainous ranges, lush greenery, and stupendous flow of the rivers. That it is bountiful of robust flora and fauna is obvious. Tourism industry is growing in leaps and bounds, attracting thousands of tourists and nature lovers from all over the nation. Tribal tripuri folks are conventional and are not adapted to the fast and modern lifestyle of urbanites. Pubs and discos are almost unseen in the region. Excellent variety of handicrafts using bamboo and cane, decorated wall panels, bamboo dining table mats, floor mats and various other gift items are crafted y them.
Tripura culture stands apart from the rest of India due to its typical indigenous cultural glory as exemplified in its music, dance, festivals, cuisine and lifestyle of Tripuris.
