Sonam Tshering Lepcha

A living symbol of Lepcha culture

They don't make like him anymOi The total dedication and single-mindl devotion with which Sonam Tshering Lepcl work for the preservation and promotion Lepcha culture and tradition is the stuff tb the legends are made of. He is indeed living symbol ofLepcha culture.

Born on 3rd January, 1928 at Bong Bus Kalimpong. Mr. Sonam Tshering Lepcha i:living symbol ofLepcha culture. At the age 18 years, he enrolled in 10 Gorkha Riffles a soldier in 1945 at Palampur, but he could r enjoy the life of soldier as his elder brother di in action in the World War II. He was compell to shoulder the responsibilities of his family

He felt that the innocent Lepchas w( gradually forgetting their age-old culture, tra

tion and literature, due to onslaught

circumstances. He realized that a man with, culture is like a man without backbone. J ambitious man like Mr.sonam then dedicaj his life for the cause ofLepchas and its vani! ing culture.

The then Chogyal of Sikkim, Sir T~ Namgyal appointed him as an Organiserl Lepcha Songs and Dances in 1954. On October 1960, he became the first Lep io Artiste and the first Lepcha song was broadcast by the All India Radio, Calcutta.

In order to popularize the Lepcha literature, the first monthly journal" ACHULEY" was brought oul

which was cyclostyled and circulated on April 2.,.1967 and continued till 1969 .

With the recommendation of the LepchaAssociation DatjeeHng, Sikkim Counsellor Mr. Chhyodup lead priests, Heads of villages of both Datjeeling District and Sikkim, his composition "Lepcha Nati an" was presented to the Lepcha Community on 6th November, 1967. Subsequently, he presente ular Lepcha Dance-drama "Teesta-Rangit"- based on the "Lepcha folklore" on origin of two prom' ~rs ofSikkim for the first time at Datjeeling on 28th December, 1967. It was his masterpiece and achiev IS career.

le Winner of "Pantong Pilit" (Lepcha Folk Flute) competition in 1956, Sonam for the first time intrc (nd played the unknown Lepcha musical instrument'Tumbok' (a type ofTungna) and "Satsang" (a typ

gi) on 8th October, 1969 in the All India Programme.

compiled centuries old records and did research work for twelve long years in the Lepcha musica lents and brought out the first Lepcha musical book on "The Lepchas and their indigenous musica ents" in 1970 in Lepcha language. His selfless contribution made him popularly known as "RONC

"-The Lepcha Master.

am Tshering has written more than 400 songs and choreographed 102 folk dances and 10 danct

  And each song has a history of its own, revealing the versatility of the writer.

III Tshering is happy to arrange his published songs in subject-wise and chronological manner. Heiting on "New Edition" for the Lepcha Grammar on the various topics and another book on "The World" covering the "Sath" or "Ragas", "Lepcha forecast & cycle", Rituals and Revival nom death". he is running his own private Lepcha Museum in Kalimpong.

Department of Culture, Government ofSikkim presented him a Citation in recognition of his high of excellence and outstanding achievement in 1995.

'S a recipient of highest honour "Nur Mayal Kohom" and Nur Mayal" awarded by the District Lepcha tionin 1973 and "G.B. MainwarringAward" by the Sikkim Lepcha Youth Association in 1996 in fhis selfless contribution towardS promotion ofthe Lepcha and its culture.

cognition of his high standards of excellence and outstanding achievements towards the preservation dheritage ofLepcha and its people, the State Government ofSikkim had recommended his name for st honour of National Award, Shri Sonam TsheringLepcha was awarded the National Award in  the Sangeet NatakAkademi, New Delhi. He received the prestigious National Award from theIt of India in a function held at the Rastrapati Bhiavan, New Delhi on 18th December, 1996