Sourabhee Debbarma holds up the Indian Idol trophy in Mumbai on Sunday

Agartala, March 2: A groggy but delirious Tripura woke up this morning to shake off the disbelief that its very own Sourabhee Debbarma has indeed won the Indian Idol and began making plans to welcome the girl home.

Though tennis star Somdev Dev Varman gave Tripura a reason to celebrate just two months ago, Sourabhee’s win last night reminded most of music icons Sachin Dev Burman and his son Rahul Dev Burman.

“She has made us proud and now whenever we will go outside Tripura we will be able to take her name as one from our state. After Somdev Dev Varman, Sourabhee will be our new icon,” said Sharmishtha (Debbarman), Sourabhee’s cousin.

Since Sourabhee’s entire family is in Mumbai, Sharmishtha acted as the spokesman for her cousin. Residents of Rabindra Pally, where Sharmishtha lives, woke up at noon today after a burst of midnight revelry kept them awake for most of the night.

There was no time to be lost though. Sharmishtha, daughter of CPM legislator Manoranjan Debbarma, began to prepare for another round of celebrations and contacted “Sourabhee fan club” to plan a gala reception.

“From childhood, she (Sourabhee) has been a great composer,” said Sharmishtha. “She used to compose lyrics in Kokborok (tribal language) and set them to tunes. You will be amazed to know that she has as many as 26 Kokborok music albums to her credit,” she said.

Tripura Assembly today passed a unanimous resolution congratulating Sourabhee on her victory.

“I will convey the Assembly’s congratulations on behalf of the House. She has done us proud,” said Speaker Ramendra Debnath.

Young Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman, who represents the Krishna Nagar area where Sourabhee’s family lives, said: “After the death of Sachin Karta and Rahul Dev, we had none to show to the rest of India. Sourabhee and Somdev from now on will be our icons.”

Tripura royalty Pradyut Kishore Dev Burman, too, pitched in. “Sourabhee’s win proves that there is music and art in the Northeast and not only guns and drugs. Her victory shows that the youth of the Northeast are not far behind their counterparts elsewhere in India,” he said.

Kudos poured in from the rest of the region as well.

“Though I personally do not consider reality shows as platform to produce real and talented singers, the victory of Sourabhee is still a proud moment for the Northeast,” said singer Zubeen Garg.

Shillong’s Bob Dylan, Lou Majaw, gave credit to Tripura’s rich culture and tradition for Sourabhee’s win.

Former Meghalaya minister and singer, R.G. Lyngdoh, said: “I am very happy and elated over Sourabhee’s victory. Winning the contest will make the people realise that we are a part and parcel of India.”