Agartala, Feb 28 (IANS); Tripura Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma here on Thursday presented the first Atal Bihari Vajpayee Life-Term Achievement Award to nonagenarian folk musician Thanga Darlong.

The award was presented at the valedictory function of the 37th Agartala Book Fair.

Darlong, an unlettered artiste, is received Padma Shri this year for his contribution to "Rosem", a flute-like folk music instrument. He has already been bestowed with the Sangeet Natak Academy Award, the Academic Fellowship Award and the state's Vayoshresta Samman for his efforts to save this dying art.

Academician and author Prabhas Chandra Dhar was conferred the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya National Integration Award for social service and academic accomplishment. Dhar is known for translating Ramayana into the tribal Kokborok language.

Tripura Assembly Deputy Speaker and BJP leader Biswabandhu Sen was presented with the Tripuresh Majumder Memorial Award for contribution to "Jatra", a popular folk-theatre form.