Meghbalika, an all-female band from Tripura, performed at a programme at Panchaban Art Resort in Santiniketan on Thursday (in picture) organised to promote cultural exchange and spread the message of peace between Bengal and Tripura.

“Tripura has a special connection with Santiniketan because of the association of Rabindranath Tagore’s family with the Manikya dynasty. We have come from Tripura to strengthen the ties between the two states. We think music can be the best tool to handle the problem of violence and intolerance that have become major threats in the subcontinent,” said Nandita Saha, one of the band members.

The Manikya dynasty ruled Twipra Kingdom and later the princely Tripura state since the early 15th century.

A cultural group of Santiniketan, Geetikunja, also performed at the event that was inaugurated by eminent Rabindra Sangeet exponent Mohan Singh Khangura.

Tapas Mallick, the organiser of the programme, said they will organise more such programmes in the coming days to promote cultural exchange and spread the message of peace.