Union Minister Sonowal Emphasises Importance Of Art & Culture In Strengthening India’s Cultural Identity

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has emphasised the importance of art and culture in strengthening India’s cultural identity and projecting the country’s rich heritage before the world.

Speaking at Kala-Tarangini: The Delhi Kala Festival 2026 at the National School of Drama in New Delhi, Mr. Sonowal said artists from across the country had gathered with devotion to present Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva’s ‘Parijat Haran’ Ankiya Nat.

Mr. Sonowal expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all the participating artists and said devotion gives strength, peace, knowledge, tolerance, simplicity and positivity.

He said Srimanta Sankardeva took several steps to bring cultural values to society through art, culture, dance and music. Mr. Sonowal said the saint’s contribution continues to inspire the country and has helped enrich India’s cultural heritage.

The Minister said India’s rich cultural traditions have enabled the country to present itself before the world with dignity in the 21st century. He emphasised that as India moves forward with the mantra of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’, art and culture must play a greater role in strengthening the spirit of unity and national pride.

Mr. Sonowal said India’s cultural strength draws from thousands of years of knowledge and spiritual traditions and stressed the need to understand this heritage and draw inspiration from it.(UPDATED ON 23RD AUGUST 2026