Sikkim Teachers promote buddhist culture through songs in Bhutan

Bhutan stamp on Sikkim CD
July 25: A music album by two teachers in Sikkim to promote Yuksom and Tashiding has paid rich dividends with the Bhutan government releasing two postal stamps recognising the duo’s efforts to showcase Buddhist culture and heritage.

The songs in the video album, made to promote Yuksom and Tashiding as pilgrimage centres, were recorded in Bhutan capital Thimpu.
While one stamp features the cover of the album, the other shows the coronation site of the first monarch of Sikkim at Norbugang in Yuksom. The two stamps were released by the Bhutan Postal Corporation Ltd in the second week of June. Nima Lhamu Bhutia and Phurba Tshering Bhutia, the two behind the CD, Yuksam Drayang (Melody from Yuksom), could not initially believe that their creation had won recognition in Bhutan.

“Then, we received a letter on July 20 posted by a friend in Thimpu containing the two stamps. We were told that the stamps had been released in the second week of June,” Phurba Tshering told journalists here today.
The 28-year-old Phurba Tshering is an assistant professor of political science at Namchi Government College, while Nima Lhamu, 32, is a teacher at Yuksom Secondary School in West Sikkim.

The stamps are available in Bhutan currency Ngultrum (Nu) 15, Nu 10 and Nu 5 each.The first stamp contains the cover of the CD which shows Phurba Tshering and Nima Lhamu between an image of the Eight Lucky Signs of Buddhism.

Yuksam Drayang has five songs in Bhutia language on the historical and cultural legacy of Yuksom and Tashiding. The album has also a six-minute narration on the two places with English subtitles.

Pic:The envelope with the two stamps sent to Nima. 

The second stamp shows Yuksom, the coronation site of the first monarch of Sikkim. The place is the first capital of ancient Sikkim and is known as “throne of Norbugang” too.

In a certificate from the Bhutan Postal Corporation Ltd faxed to the duo here, the government said the album had been well appreciated by all the Bhutanese people in terms of its contents and quality. .
“Such a product has brought in tremendous effect on cultural unity among the peoples of Bhutan and Sikkim. The CD is distributed to schools, community centres and even foreign tourist as the contents purely portray cultural aspects of Sikkim,” said Tseten Geltsen, the managing director-cum chief executive officer of the postal corporation, in the certificate.

While Nima Lhamu has written the lyrics and produced the album at a cost of Rs 3 lakh, the CD was directed by Phurba Tshering. The album was shot extensively at Yuksom and Tashiding and the CD was released on December 9.
Highlighting the importance of Yuksom in the history of Sikkim, the duo said the place was not only the first capital of Sikkim in the 17th Century but was also a holy place as it had been blessed by Guru Rimpoche in the 8th Century. “We have also focused on Tashiding, a holy place and a centre of Buddhist pilgrimage,” said Phurba Tshering.
He said the album had done well in Bhutan and a lot of people from the country had started coming to Yuksom and Tashiding. “The album has promoted the pilgrimage potential of Yuksom and Tashiding.”

Sikkim Cultural Affairs & Heritage Minister chairs the department meeting

Gangtok, October 15 : A second co-ordination meeting of the Cultural Affairs & Heritage Department was held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of the Minister Sonam Gyatso Lepcha in his chamber. The Department was represented by the Secretary, D.R.Kharel, Special Secretary, P.N.Tamang and other senior officers.

During the meeting the Minister was apprised by the Secretary and the section officers on the various activities and projects. The Minister in his address requested all the officers to perform their individual role in their respective fields in an optimum manner so that the earmarked projects are completed in time. He further directed the Department to give top most priority to flag ship projects like State Museum, Art Gallery & Library and Habitat Centre.

The Minister also stressed on improving the quality of Songs and Drama while representating Sikkim outside the State.

Workshop on culture begins in Gangtok

GANGTOK, Sept. 20: A 10-day workshop on "Indian tradition and culture" began at Janata Bhawan here today. Over 120 participants from across the country are taking part in the workshop.The workshop includes creative teachings, regional contribution to Indian culture, learning of traditional crafts and culture, role of crafts and craftsperson in society, glimpses of natural and cultural heritage of North-east with special reference to Sikkim, introduction to CCRT activities, heritage of dance and final evaluation. "Sikkim is like tri-colour where we find green in base, white in the mountains and red/yellow during sunrise and sunset," said Mr SD Dhakal, joint secretary, cultural affairs and heritage department. "It is a small state in the country with 11 languages which reflects unity in diversity," he added. Speaking on the occasion, Gangtok MLA Mr NK Pradhan, said: "People from all parts of the country stay in Sikkim. The state is a mini India. Sikkim is known for its varied tradition and culture and we are developing in all aspect to preserve it because our identity is our culture." The national level workshop is being organised by Centre for Cultural Resources and Training, New Delhi, in collaboration with the state cultural affairs and heritage Department. Addressing the workshop, speakers said that the national policy on Education of 1986 states that the basic emphasis in interlinking education and culture should be on helping a child to discover his/her talent and to express their creativity which can be achieved through participatory process. "Handicrafts is the index of our rich cultural heritage, which serves to satisfy the aesthetic needs of the human being and provide a vehicle for self-expression. The real significance of handicrafts lies in the newness and surprise of each object," they said.