Thanga Darlong Biography 
Thanga Darlong is a famous art-music-flute (rosem) artist from Tripura, who has been honoured with Padma Shri in 2019 by Government of India. He hails from Kailashahar. He was acknowledged with National Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 2014, followed by Academic Fellowship Award in 2015 and the state level Vayoshresta Samman in 2016.He was also honored with the Centenarian award. Thanga Darlong is an exceptional musical genius from Tripura and is currently 99 years old when the civilian honour was announced on the occasion of Republic day celebrations in 2019. He is among the 94 Padma Shri Awardees this year.
Thanga Darlong is the last tribal musician to play Rosem – a musical instrument. An exceptional genius in music, his exemplary efforts for nurturing the indigenous culture of North-East, especially the art of playing Rosem musical instrument is definitely worth praising. He was born on July 20, 1920 at Muruai village of Tripura. He received initial training in folk music from his father Hakvunga Darlong. Later he received training from renowned artist Darthuama Darlong who groomed him to play Rosem – a bamboo-made flute-like musical instrument.
Since childhood he regularly performed in traditional festivals of his community. He gained recognition playing Rosem. When traditional art and culture forms are at the verge of distinct with the invasion of western music and modern musical instruments, Thanga Darlong always remained in root and tried his best to popularize Rosem among the masses. He has travelled in many parts of the world promoting traditional music. Sangeet Natak Akademi Award honoured him in 2014. He was showcased in ‘Tree of Tongues in Tripura’ (2016), directed by the National Awards winner Joshy Joseph.
Published: January 28, 2019
Updated: January 28, 2019
