Folk singer Delong Padung receives tiol award

From our correspondent

Itagar, Dec 8: Singer, lyricist, composer and director and choreographer Delong Padung was awarded the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar by the Sangeet tak Akademi for his contribution in the growth of folk music of Aruchal Pradesh.

The award was constituted in 2006 in memory shehi maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan who died in August that year. Padung was handed the award by Tripura governor Tathagata Roy in presence of Akademi chairman Shekhar Sen at the Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhawan Hall in Agartala on Monday, an official communiqué informed. Born in Rayang village in East Siang district, Padung inherited his love of the folklore from his forefathers. Earning a post-graduate degree in history, Padung has performed on several occasions in and outside the state at many events including the Aruchal Festival (2014), Srhad O Swaranjali (Itagar 2013), Pasighat Centery (2011). He also bagged the first position in Pratishruti a tele-competition for NE Doordarshan.

He was also part of a documentary on the Adi tribe sponsored by the Mumbai-based Vashali Trust. Besides having sung in sixteen languages of the state, Padung has also sung Assamese and Mishing songs. Recently he was inducted as a member of the tiol Expert Committee for the fellowship scheme for folk traditiol and indigenous art. Padung established the Karpung Karduk Akademi in his tive village Rayang to promote traditiol and indigenous art. Padung has received multiple awards include State Award by Governor of Aruchal Pradesh, Commendation Certificate by the East Siang deputy commissioner and was honoured by the Adi Bane Kebang for his meritorious service in the field of culture and entertainment, the communiqué added.