Apryaa Vom (Lepcha Classical Folk Song)

Apryaa Vom is the oldest and richest form of Lepcha classical folk song. The descendants of Fadongthing and Nuzaongnyoo, the Lepchas, in praise of Eetboo Deboo, the Creator, Kingtsumzaongboo, the Guardian Deity, Fadongthing and Nuzaongnyoo, their progenitors, offered their prayers in the form of an ‘Aprya Vom’. During, ‘Soogi Lyaot Tek’, an offering of prayers, invocations, devotion, and thanksgivings to Tamsangthing, Nyoolik Nyoosong Mun, Azaor Boongthing, and their respective Gurus, the Lepcha Mun and Boongthing sing ‘Apryaa Vom’. Normally there are two parties; one represents the ‘Dangmoo Rum’, a God of low land, and another party represents as the ‘Sangnyo Rum’, a God of the mountains and high lands. The singers representing the ‘Dangmoo Rum’ sing using the ‘Dangit Nyoo’ bird’s tone and the other party representating ‘Sang Nyoo Rum’, imitates and sing in ‘Chyak Doon’ and ‘Kakoo’ birds tones.

There are mainly three types of Aprya Vom Sut (tunes) for common Lepchas:

1. Renjyong Sut: As the name suggests, Renjyong sut is related to the Sikkimese tune. The Darjeeling and Kurseong Sub-Divisions are historically included in Sikkim; therefore, the Lepchas of these two Sub-Divisions also follow the ‘Renjyong Sut’. The tune flows like a stream.

2. Damsang Sut: Damsang Sut pertains to the Lepchas of present day Kalimpong Sub-Division. Damsang Sut is , vigourous and flowing.

3. Illam Sut: It is related to Illam, east Nepal. Illam Sut is always in rhyme. It is little bit slow in rhythm but it flows slow and steady without stop.

Apryaa Vom is sung on all occasions and there are basically four kinds of Apryaa Vom as follows:

1. Sawo Apryaa Vom - Prayer song
2. Aagao-Apryaa Vom - Joyous song
3. Asyaot - Sam Kyao Apryaa Vom - Sad song
4. Dungeet Aprya Vom - Patriotic song

In the old day Apryaa Vom was also sung during funeral and death ceremonies but, today, unfortunately, it has almost ceased to be sung except one person, Lapon Sonam Tshering Lepcha of Kalimpong.

While singing an Apryaa Vom, a singer must observe and strictly adhere to the following rules and regulations:

a. It must be sung in the standing position.’’

b. His or her head-gear, if any, must be in his or her hands.

c. No musical instruments will accompany the song because Apryaa Vom started well before the advent of the Lepcha musical instruments.

d. A singer normally has to concentrate on a particular, relevant subject demanded by the situation, and spontaneously compose his or her song then and there, describing and stressing the points and very frankly expressing his or her thoughts, without any restraint, to the audiences.

e. it must flow like a river, smooth, cool and non-stop.

f. A singer is allowed freedom to use praise, humour and sarcasm, where applicable, without restraint in his or her song.

g. Apryaa Vom normally starts with the word, ‘Haa Aey’ and if it is a patriotic song, ‘Aachuley’ is used. At the end of the song, all will shout out ‘Aachuley!’. It is an expression of admiration, praise and joy all rolled into one except on ‘Aasyaot’ or ‘Samkyao Vom’ (Sad song) all will remain silent for obvious reasons.

To protect, maintain and develop this unique Lepcha traditional classical folk song, Apryaa Vom, workshops and competitions among the Lepchas, young and old, male and female, are being organised from time to time in Kalimpong, West Bengal.


Lyangsong Tamsang