Silchar: The culturally vibrant town of Silchar is poised to host a grand celebration of the Dhamail Festival this November, according to newly elected Rajya Sabha MP Kanad Purkayastha. The announcement was made during a courtesy meeting with Dr. Anup Kumar Roy, president of Sammilito Lokomancha and Silchar Sporting Club, held at the MP’s residence in Natunpatty on Saturday.

Dr. Roy, along with members of the Silchar Sporting Club, visited MP Purkayastha to felicitate him on his recent election to the Upper House. During the interaction, discussions centred on cultural development in Barak Valley, with special emphasis on reviving the traditional Dhamail festival.

Recalling a meeting from November 2024, Dr. Roy mentioned that Sammilito Lokomancha had earlier approached Barak Valley Development Minister Kaushik Rai to propose the state-level organisation of the festival. Minister Rai had then expressed optimism about the festival’s future.

Responding to this, MP Purkayastha revealed that Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has recently declared a comprehensive cultural agenda under the Barak Valley Development Department. This includes a three-day Barak Utsav in Guwahati and a dedicated, state-supported Dhamail Festival in Silchar.

If plans proceed as expected, the festival will be hosted at the Silchar District Sports Association ground this November, with participation from around 10,000 Dhamail artists from across the region. The MP highlighted the government’s vision of promoting regional art forms globally, citing the growing international recognition of the Jhumur dance as an example.

“The Dhamail Festival is deeply embedded in Bengali cultural identity. Our government is committed to taking it to the global stage,” said MP Purkayastha.

Expressing gratitude, Dr. Roy thanked the Chief Minister, MP Purkayastha, and Minister Kaushik Rai for supporting Sammilito Lokomancha’s longstanding demand. He reaffirmed the organisation’s resolve to preserve and promote Bengali cultural heritage and urged for greater visibility of the festival on national and international platforms.