Debbarma is a generic term applied to a number of ethnic groups, predominantly in Tripura state, India and Bangladesh speaking Kokborok which is Tibeto-Burman languages.
Debbarma is the surname of indigenous clans of Tripuri community from Tripura. This surname is generally used by the Kokborok-speaking (Tibeto-Burmese) Tripuri people, the indigenous people of Tripura, a state in India. This is one of the cases where use of a surname reflects ethnic or community membership. The Debbarmas are the majority in number in Tripura, even after the Princely state Tripura merged with Indian territory on 9th September, 1949 through The Tripura Merger Agreement, as being signed by The Queen Regent after the demise of the King, His Highness Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Debbarma due to unknown reasons.
Variations
The variations of "Debbarma" consist of Debbarma, Deb Barma, Deb Burman, Dev Burman, Dev Barma, Dev Varman and Devvarman.
Classifications
Although Debbarmas speak Kokborok, some differences in their accents can be found, if observed very carefully. The way they speak it varies in tones and words too. The accent of someone residing in North has so much differences if compared to someone residing in South.
These are -
- Daspa
- Beri
- Dona
Groups
- Tipra - Debbarma, Tripura, Jamatia, Reang/Riang (Bru), Uchoi/Usoi, Noatia, Kalai, Halam, Rupini, Murasing, Roaza, Hrangkhawl, Kaipeng, Molsom, Dendak etc.
Notable individuals
- Bir Bikram Kishore Debbarma 1908–1947, one of the last Kings of Tripuri.
- Sachin Dev Burman, Bollywood composer and singer.
- Rahul Dev Burman, Bollywood composer and singer.
- Dasarath Debbarma, 1993-1998 first and yet only Tiprasa Chief Minister of Tripura.
- Jishnu Dev varma currently serving as a Deputy Chief Minister Of Tripura Government , and he is the youngest son of Maharaj Kumari Kamal Prabha Devi, the single sister of Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Debbarma (last king of Tripura).
- Sourabhee Debbarma, First female Indian idol winner, TV performer and singer.
- Somdev Devvarman, Indian tennis player
- Sankha Subhra Devbarman poet, writer and columnist. His state award winning novel Banakuntalar Upakhyan was serialised in six episodes for national network of Doordarshan. A book of his short stories now included in the syllabus of Assam University, Silchar. Recently he won the prestigious 'Times Stellar Icon' award for literature by India's largest media group, 'The Times of India' owned by Bennett Coleman.