Artists Allege Non-Payment of Honorarium and Bias in Selection for Government Cultural Events in Tripura

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, March 2, 2026

Serious allegations have surfaced against sections of the state’s cultural administration, as artists from Teliamura in Khowai district claim they have not received their due honorarium for performances at government-organized events. Alongside delayed payments, artists have also alleged favoritism and political influence in the selection process for cultural programmes under the state’s Information and Cultural Affairs Department.

At a press conference held on Friday at Chitrangada Kalakendra in Teliamura, members of the Teliamura Cultural Cell voiced their grievances publicly. The artists alleged that many performers who took part in the 2023 Teliamura Handloom and Handicrafts Fair are yet to receive their agreed remuneration, even after a considerable lapse of time.

According to them, numerous local artists from the subdivision had presented various cultural performances on the fair’s main stage. However, despite repeated communication with the concerned authorities, they have not received any satisfactory response regarding the pending payments.

The artists further alleged that a section of a cultural committee functioning under the state’s Information and Cultural Affairs Department is influencing the selection of performers for government events. According to the claims made at the press meet, certain politically connected advisors allegedly guide the selection process, resulting in repeated opportunities being extended to a preferred group of artists.

As a consequence, many skilled and experienced performers, including accomplished anchors capable of conducting large-scale government programmes are reportedly being sidelined. The aggrieved artists alleged that merit and local representation are being overlooked in favour of favoritism.

Another major concern raised was the alleged exclusion of local artists from cultural events held in sub-divisional and rural areas. The artists claimed that instead of engaging local performers for programmes in districts and subdivisions, organizers are increasingly bringing artists from Agartala, the state capital, thereby depriving local talent of opportunities.

They pointed out that in the ongoing state-level fair at Chakmaghat in Krishnapur Assembly Constituency, local artists were allegedly ignored, while performers from outside the area were given preference.

Among those present at the press conference were noted elocutionist Sumit Kar, tabla player Pranakrishna Banik, and dancer Manish Debnath. They collectively urged the authorities to ensure timely disbursement of honorarium and to adopt a transparent, merit-based selection process for cultural programmes.

The artists have demanded immediate intervention from the concerned department to address the pending payments and to review the functioning of the cultural committee to restore fairness and accountability in government-sponsored cultural events.

As of filing this report, no official statement has been issued by the Information and Cultural Affairs Department regarding the allegations.

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