Car Nicobar, June 24: In a historic achievement for the Nicobar District and the Nicobar tribal community, Ms. Shanta Cyntrick of Tapoiming Village, Car Nicobar, has become the first artist from the Nicobar Tribal Community and the first individual from Nicobar District to receive the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, conferred by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi, under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar is among the most prestigious national honours instituted by the Sangeet Natak Akademi to recognize outstanding young practitioners in the fields of Music, Dance, Theatre, Folk and Tribal Arts, Puppetry, and other performing arts. Named after the legendary Shehnai maestro and Bharat Ratna awardee Ustad Bismillah Khan, the award seeks to encourage and honour young artists who have demonstrated exceptional talent, dedication, and contribution towards the preservation and promotion of India’s diverse cultural traditions. The award carries a citation, an Angavastram, and a cash prize and is conferred by the Chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi at a special national ceremony.
The award has been announced by the Sangeet Natak Akademi for the year 2025 under the category of Folk Dance (Andaman & Nicobar Islands), recognizing Ms. Shanta Cyntrick’s outstanding contribution towards the preservation, promotion and dissemination of traditional Nicobari folk dance.
This landmark recognition marks a defining moment in the cultural history of the Nicobari tribal community. For the first time, a traditional folk artist from Nicobar District has been honoured with a national-level performing arts award from India’s apex cultural institution, bringing national recognition to the rich indigenous cultural heritage of the Nicobarese people.
Ms. Shanta Cyntrick has been actively performing Nicobari Folk Dance since 2006 and has represented the unique traditions of the Nicobari community at various prestigious platforms across the country. As a dedicated performer and troupe leader, she has played a pivotal role in preserving and promoting Nicobari cultural traditions among younger generations.
The District Administration, Nicobar District, extends its heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Shanta Cyntrick on this remarkable achievement. Her success is a matter of immense pride for the entire Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and serves as an inspiration to the youth of the tribal communities to preserve and promote their rich cultural heritage.
