Assam, Manipur, Tripura artists to be honoured at National Youth Cultural Festival 2026

Imphal: Young artists from Assam, Manipur, and Tripura will be honoured at the 2nd National Youth Cultural Festival 2026, scheduled to begin on February 11, 2026, in Imphal.

On the occasion, renowned Manipuri film and theatre artist RK Hemabati Devi will receive the Thangjam Birachandra and Thangjam Ongbi Maipakpi Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award 2026 for her significant contributions to the field. The award includes a cash prize, a shawl, a citation, a memento, and a medal.

Ipak Films Production, Manipur, and Jaideep Memorial Foundation, Imphal, have officially announced the recipients of various awards.

Festival chairman Khwairakpam Bishwamittra Singh formally released the list of awardees. Each recipient will receive a cash prize, a shawl, a citation, a memento, and a medal.

The awardees are: Mangka Mayanglambam (folk singer, Manipur), Benita Laishram (folk performer, Manipur), Sonia Samjetsabam (film actor, Manipur), Asha Singha (Manipuri dance, Tripura), Jaya Khundrakpam (classical Manipuri dance, Manipur), Th Sanjana Singha (folk dance, Assam), Songthu James Koireng (theatre, Manipur), Mutum Herojit Singh (martial arts, Manipur), and Loitongbam Barashyam (public performer, Manipur).

The awards ceremony will take place at 2 pm on February 11 at the Palace Auditorium, Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Imphal, during the inauguration of the festival.