Sampari Hukumu Bodol started this project with support from FST with the goal of trying to bringing about a substantial change in the way the indigenous people of Tripura view themselves and their future; from a passive mentality of coping with irremediable loss to bringing about an active and hope-filled sense of ‘still being able to do something’.

The objectives of the project are - to raise awareness and motivate indigenous communities from 5 tribal clusters in Tripura on need for preserving their culture and musical motifs; to select and train 50 artistes from the 5 tribal clusters in preserving their musical motifs; and to record and produce 5 audio CDs of the musical motifs as a means of preserving for future generation. The project is of one year duration.

Now, six months after the completion of the project, Sampari Hukumu Bodol has conducted three motivational seminars in villages inhabited by the Molsom, Halam and Koloi tribes; completed three week long training programmes for the artists selected from these communities; and have recorded and produced three master CDs of songs sung by these selected and trained artists.

As a result of Samapri’s efforts, there is an increased awareness and eagerness among the people to learn how to preserve their gradually vanishing culture. Motra Molsom, a village elder of the Tuichlong village inhabited by the Molsom tribe articulates this saying that “Before 1974, there still were some opportunities to showcase our culture. I myself led a cultural troupe to Delhi. But thereafter, the opportunities disappeared. The large scale influx of refugees after 1974 resulted in huge food shortages, and in the struggle for finding food to stave off hunger and deprivation, culture was forgotten and it took a backseat. Our culture is now lost... We need to preserve our culture and customs regarding marriage, food, and indigenous health practices etc., to show that we also belong to this State.”

Noteworthy is the story of Krishna Manik Molsom who hails from Tuichlong and plays almost all traditional musical instruments - chongpreng, sarinda, sumui and kham. He is also one of the few people who know how to make these instruments. The Sampari team met Krishna during the motivational programme in his village and selected him to be a part of the week long training programme and was part of the musician team for the recording of the Molsom songs. Sampari introduced Krishna to the Station Director of All India Radio, and after an audition, have now selected him as one of the radio artistes of Agartala. Thus, from being a very shy young man, he will perform at regular intervals on radio and get a modest fee for it too. Krishna has also been inducted as a staff member of Sampari Hukumu Bodol.

Says Fr. Joseph Pulinthanath of Sampari Hukumu Bodol – “Through this project supported by FST, the focus is to make the tribes realize the importance of preserving their cultures and practices, much of which is disappearing. The CDs are a step in that direction. They are of immense academic and archival value, for preserving these songs/motifs which are fast dying out if not promoted.”

During the remaining period of the FST supported project, Sampari Hukumu Bodol will work with the Korbong and Kaipeng tribes to record and preserve their vanishing musical motifs.