Roots & Purpose of Tripura Dance Troupes

 Nestled among the lush green hills of Northeast India, Tripura's dance troupes are living embodiments of its vibrant tribal heritage and cultural diversity. A typical Tripura dance troupe brings together dancers from communities such as the Tripuri, Reang (Bru), Mog (Marma), Chakma, Jamatia, Noatia, Halam, and others, each group preserving distinct traditions and aesthetic expressions. This tapestry of dance forms translates into a mesmerising 900‑word narrative exploring their art, origins, styles, instruments, contexts and modern significance.

Roots & Purpose of Tripura Dance Troupes

Tripura dance troupes are collective ensembles often organized under state cultural departments or independent institutes. Many performers are affiliated with organizations like Bangla Sangskritik Baloy, local institutes supported by the Tripura Government, or even divisions under the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC)  Performance tours include prestigious events such as Mahakumbh at Prayagraj, where the troupe enchanted audiences with the Dhamaail dance, presenting Tripura’s culture on a national platform . During Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path, New Delhi, the Mog community’s Sangrai Umbrella Dance showcased Tripura’s identity to millions, led by troupes from Sangrain Welfare Society with more than a hundred participating artists

These troupes operate not only as performance ensembles but also as custodians of intangible cultural heritage—preserving traditional forms, costumes, music, and rituals while adapting to stages across India and beyond.

Signature Dance Forms in the Troupe Repertoire

Hojagiri Dance (Reang/Bru Community)

This is one of Tripura’s most iconic performances: a dance of poise and precision, where young women balance bottles, earthen pots, and glowing lamps on their heads and hands, moving only their lower body while standing on pitchers or plates amid graceful motion. The musical accompaniment comes from bamboo cymbals, flute, and drum called Khamb. The dance celebrates Goddess Lakshmi during the Hojagiri festival, symbolizing gratitude and prosperity 

A renowned exponent of this form was Satyaram Reang, a folk artist from Tripura honored with the Padma Shri in 2021 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1986 for his dedication to Hojagiri Dance 

Garia (Goria) Dance (Tripuri Community)

Performed as part of Garia Puja, this celebratory dance marks the start of the sowing season. Men and women dance around a decorated bamboo pole, gradually building tempo and rhythm with drums and flutes. Songs recount folklore and rituals invoking agricultural prosperity. It’s a communal, highly spirited ritual involving entire villages moving from locality to locality 

Mamita Dance (Jamatia and Tripuri Groups)

Held post-harvest, Mamita is a dance of thanksgiving and camaraderie. Dancers—male and female—coordinate claps and cymbal rhythms in vibrant attire, celebrating fertility and community bonding during night gatherings, often at weddings or harvest ceremonies 

Lebang Boomani (Moi Community)

Done between Garia and the monsoons, this dance simulates catching Lebangs (colorful insects) on hill slopes. Men beat bamboo clappers called tokkas, women toss scarves in synchronized play to “catch” lebangs. They adorn silver ornaments and perform to flute, bamboo percussion, and drums. Legend says the number of lebangs caught foretells the coming harvest’s prosperity 

Sangrai Dance (Mog/Marma Community)

Performed during the Buddhist Sangrai festival in April, this dance is marked by umbrella props, gentle festive steps, and music tied to Buddhist traditions. Troupes from Sangrain Welfare Society have represented Tripura during Republic Day parades and national festivals, bringing this peaceful ritual-art form to the national stage—thrice in recent years

Additional Tribal Forms

Many troupes also include dances such as:

• Hai Hak by the Halam community, honoring Goddess Lakshmi post-harvest Mosak Sumani, mimicking hunting gestures among Tripuri, Noatia, and Murasing groups, historically connected with preparation for war

• Bizhu Dance of the Chakmas, marking their New Year’s Bizhu festival with slow, graceful group movements and bamboo instruments like dhol and khenggerang 

• Gajan, Dhamail, and others practiced among Bengali communities in Tripura, sometimes added in ensemble repertoire especially in mixed-program presentations .

Instruments & Attire

Instruments
Most troupes rely on bamboo-based instruments reflecting local craftsmanship:

• Khamb (drum), bamboo cymbals, and tokkas for rhythm

• Bamboo flute, sarinda, dhol, bhaajhi, and khenggerang

• Some traditions include the Rosem, a bamboo wind instrument unique to Tripura’s Darlong tribe, played during jhum festivals and tribal performances like bird or bamboo dances .

Costumes & Props
Attire is rich in handwoven textiles like Rignai (skirt) and Risa (upper cloth), often bright red, white or green. Silver and bronze ornaments—earrings, bangles, nose rings—feature prominently, especially in Lebang and Hojagiri dances. Props include umbrellas (Sangrai), lamps, pots, bamboo poles, and traditional weapons (Mosak Sumani).

 Modern Platforms & Significance

Tripura dance troupes perform at national gatherings such as Mahakumbh, Adirang Mahotsav, and Republic Day ceremonies, where they bring tribal folk arts to wider audiences . For instance, at Mahakumbh 2025, the Dhamaail performance by the 30‑member team from Bangla Sangskritik Baloy received considerable acclaim, reflecting deep artistic excellence .

The Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC) and Tripura’s Department of Information & Cultural Affairs help coordinate such exposure, also promoting regional crafts and textiles alongside dance performances at events like the Sanskriti Haat .

 Contemporary Challenges & Future Outlook

Tripura dance troupes now navigate balancing tradition with evolving tastes. While rooted performance styles remain central, some troupes experiment with stage formats and collaborations. Preservation of rare forms like Hai Hak and Mosak Sumani faces challenges as younger generations migrate to urban centers. Sustained training programs by institutes and cultural bodies are vital to maintaining continuity.

The passing of stalwarts like Satyaram Reang underscores the importance of mentoring new performers. Documenting oral histories, costumes, songs, and techniques is part of modern heritage preservation.

 Conclusion

Tripura dance troupes are more than mere performers—they are living archives of indigenous expression, spirituality, nature, and communal life. Through dances like Hojagiri, Garia, Lebang Boomani, Sangrai, Mamita, and others, they celebrate harvests, festivals, myths, and daily rhythms. Emerging from tribal villages yet gracing national stages, these troupes symbolize India's unity in diversity, offering viewers a glimpse into Tripura’s soul.

For those lucky enough to witness a tribal dance troupe of Tripura, it's a cultural immersion—a layered tapestry of movement, music, ritual, and identity that honors Tripura Dance Troupe