Violin-Specific Recruitment at Tripura University Raises Questions, Allegation of Nepotism Surfaces Against Music HOD

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, September 15, 2026

A recruitment notification issued by Tripura University for a contractual Guest Instructor in Violin has triggered controversy within sections of the music fraternity, with allegations that the post may have been specifically structured to benefit a relative of the Head of the Department of Music, Utpal Biswas.

According to the Tripura University notification dated September 10, 2026, the Department of Music has invited applications for a walk-in interview for two Guest Instructor positions, one for Violin and another for Harmonium. The interview is scheduled to be held on September 18, 2026, at 2 PM at the Conference Hall of the Examination Building of Tripura University.

The notification specifically prescribes an MA in Instrumental Music (Violin) for the Violin position. The assignment is purely contractual for 11 months, with remuneration of Rs 500 per class for two classes daily, subject to a maximum of Rs 20,000 per month.

The controversy, however, centres on the question of why the university has created a Violin-specific position, when instrumental music encompasses a much wider range of disciplines and instruments.

Those questioning the recruitment process have pointed towards the curriculum followed at Sachin Debbarman Memorial Government Music College, where students at the graduation level have exposure to instrumental disciplines including Sitar and Sarod. They argue that instrumental music is not restricted to Violin and includes a wide range of instruments such as Sitar, Sarod, Esraj, Flute, Pakhawaj, Surbahar and Guitar, among others.

Against this backdrop, questions are being raised over the university's decision to specifically advertise a post only for Violin.

The allegation being circulated among sections of the music community is that HOD Utpal Biswas has allegedly influenced the creation or specification of the Violin post with the intention of securing the appointment of his nephew. Critics are questioning whether the vacancy was genuinely created on the basis of an academic requirement or whether the eligibility criteria were framed around a particular prospective candidate.

The allegation, in substance, is that when there are numerous instrumental disciplines available at the academic level, the decision to create a narrowly defined Violin position could potentially give an advantage to a candidate possessing precisely that qualification.

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