Folk Dances from Sikkim

Dhan Nach

Dhan Nach, which literally means Paddy Dance, is the harvest dance of Sikkim where paddy is the main crop. The dance is performed by both men and women at the time of every important agricultural operation, especially while the paddy is being harvested. The dancers wear traditional costumes. Men wear typical pajama and shirt locally called Daura-suruwal, a waist coat, and Patuka (sash), Topi (cap), and Rumal (Kerchief). Women wear Fariya (a type of sari), Coubandi-cholo (typical blouse), and Hembari (scarf tied on the chest). They also wear various kinds of traditional ornaments. The musical accompaniment is provided by Madal – a drum with two faces, and Murali, the bamboo flute. The dancers also tie jingle bells, locally called gungur, on their ankles.

Gnela Kipa

Gnela Kipa is another folk dance of Sikkim. It is prevalent among the Bhutia tribal community. On every happy and festive occasion this dance is performed by men and women, young and old. Through this dance they express their gratitude to the great saints of the community and the sacred places. They believe that because of these sacred places situated in the region where they live and the saints born in their community who inspire piety and humility, the Lepchas lead such a happy life. The joyous songs that accompany the dance praise the saints and the sacred places and offer prayers for peace and happiness of the mankind. The dance is performed to celebrate the New year. It is also performed on the occasion of marriage and childbirth. The instrumental music that accompany the dance is provided by Gno, the drum; Ljnghu, the bamboo flute; and Dab-gney, a kind of plucked string instrument.

Kat-gnok-Lok

The Lepcha tribal, community of Sikkim performs an interesting dance called Kat-gnok-lok, literally meaning dance of the swans. The dance is related to the migration of swans from warm plains to the cooler Himalayan regions when summer approaches and return to the plains when winter comes. These migratory birds indicate to the Lepchas when to sow the seeds and when to harvest the crops. Therefore, a legend has been inspired by the swans. It tells the story of the sojourn of a group of migratory swans led by Gnonpo Geubu and his wife Jhum Thi. When the Lepchas see that the swans have started migrating to the cooler regions in February/ March, they begin their sowing, and when the swans return to the plains in October/November, they know that the time has come for harvesting the crops. The legend tells how the group of migratory swans had to undergo lots of suffering while heading for the cooler regions and how finally they found comfort and food. The legend inspires the Lepchas to bear courageously the difficult days hoping for a comfortable future. The day the Lepchas sight a migratory swan, they perform the Kar-gnok-lok dance in which they suggestively depict the aspects of human life in which one has to struggle hard to attain peaceful, prosperous and happy life. The dance is performed by young boys and girls, attired in colorful costumes, on various happy occasions. The dance is accompanied by songs and instrumental music provided by Tingdar, the drum; Palit, the bamboo flute; Tambak, the plucked string instrument; Satsang, the bowed string instrument; and Romu, the cymbals.

Singhi Chham

Singhi Chham Dance Sikkim

In Sikkim the interesting dance called Singhi Chham is performed. It has also religious associations. Mount Khang-chen-Dzong-pa (Kanchenjungha) the third largest mountain in the world is sacred to the people of Sikkim as their guardian deity. As decreed by Guru Rimpche (Guru Padmasambhava), this majestic mountain stands guard over the land, holding within its crevices the sacred Five Treasures. Its associate peaks look like the legendary Snow lion, fierce and fiery with its gorgeous mane hued in turquoise. The Snow Lion is considered an important cultural symbol of the state and is elaborately depicted in the Singhi Chham or the Snow Lion dance. Usually two or four dummy lions perform the dance. Each dummy Snow Lion is made of white fur and the face is bluish. Actually, it is total mask made of cloth and fur. Two dancers get into each lion mask and position themselves inside the mask in such a way that the Snow Lion looks somewhat like a real lion. The legs of the dancer positioned on the front become the two forelegs of the lion and the two legs of the dancer positioned at the back form the hind legs. With amazing synchronization the two dancers move so that the movement of the Snow Lion appears realistic. Only a drum is used with the dance.

Tendong-faat

Tendong Faat Dance Sikkim

Tendong-faat, a ritual dance of the Lepcha tribe of Sikkim, is an example of dances inspired by local legends. It is performed on the 15th day of the seventh month of Buddhist lunar calendar corresponding to August/ September. The dance is performed as a worship of the Tendong hill. The local legend associated with this annual dance performance runs as follows :

Long long ago the mighty Teesta and Rangeet rivers were in full spate. The water level rose to such a great height that even the hills were drowned. Men, women, children, and animals were swept away by the flood. The Lepchas of the Tendong hill then began praying the God. They were so sincere in their prayer that the God was pleased and appeared before them as a large Kohomfo bird and began sprinkling chhang, a kind of millet beer, on the rivers. It had a miraculous effect. The moment the chhang drops fell on the rivers the level of water started receding rapidly. Soon the flood was over and the people returned to their homes and the divine bird flew back to heaven. The Lepchas commemorate the event by worshiping, through dance the Tending hill which gave shelter to their forefathers at the time of great calamity.

Both men and women participate in the dancing and the musical accompaniment is provided by Palit (flute), Tembak (string instrument), Tindar (drum), and Romu (cymbal).

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