Lepcha songs in a book

Lapon Sonam Tshering Tamsang Lepcha, a Lepcha lyricist, composer, Lepcha folk singer, musician, dramatist of high repute and of national stature, has brought out his wonderful Lepcha songs in a book form. A widely travelled person in the Sikkim and Darjeeling Himalayan region, his songs depict the true Lepcha life from the cradle to grave and from Mount Kanchanjanga to Jolasyee, the present day Jalpaiguri. He being a nature worshipper and nature lover, naturally, his songs revolve round the golden and silver Himalayas, mountains, hills, valleys, lakes, rivers, flora and faona and amazing and unique Lepcha cultural heritage.

Lapon Sonam Tshering Tamsang Lepcha is well known for his ‘Apryaa Vam’, the Lepcha classical folk songs. There are certain fixed rules and regulations to be followed while singing an ‘Apryaa Vam’, therefore, it has been categorized under the Lepcha ‘Classical’ Folk Songs. He is, probably, the only Lepcha today who sings ‘Aamaak Apryaa Vam’, a song of death during a Lepcha death rituals.

He is very optimistic and prolific lyricist and writes and asks the world, ‘Who says the Lepchas are vanishing?’ in his song. He also sings of great Lepcha personalities and leaders like Fadaongthing, Nazaongnyoo, Tamsangthing, Thikong Mensolong, Thikoong Tek and Ngookoong Ngaal, Pano Gaeboo Achyok and Aathing K.P. Tamsang in his songs.

Lapon Sonam Tshering Tamsang Lepcha writes and sings on ‘Faokraam - Takraam’, the present day ‘Dzongu’, North

Sikkim, the sacred and holy Lepcha land in his songs.

You will find him encompassing all aspects of Lepcha socio-cultural life and through his songs he tells the world that the Lepchas are the one and only true master of Mayel Lyang.

Lapon Sonam Tshering Tamsang Lepcha’s songs are very popular in the Lepcha world. To hear Lepcha children and youth singing his haunting songs even in remote Lepcha villages is a very revealing experience to us all.

He is very popularly known among the Lepchas as ‘Lapon’ meaning the teacher in Lepcha. He has already been recognized by the Government of India for his outstanding work for the conservation preservation, maintenance and development of the very rich and ancient Lepcha cultural heritage, especially on the Lepcha folk songs and culture with the following awards:

a. Sangeet Natak Akademi Award -1996
b. Padmashree - 2006

I congratulate Lapon Sonam Tshering Tamsang Lepcha for his outstanding work and service for the preservation, maintenance and development of the Lepcha folk songs, dances, music and cultural heritage.

Aachuley!

Lyangsong Tamsang Lepcha
President
Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association
Headquarters Kalimpong







About the Song Writer

Ren Sonam Tshering Lepcha was born on 3 January 1928 in Bom, Kalimpong. He is a living symbol of Lepcha culture. At the age of 18 years, he enlisted in the 10th Gurkha Rifles as a Rifleman in 1945 at Palampur but he could not enjoy the life of a soldier as his elder brother died in action in the World War II. He was compelled to shoulder the responsibilities of his family.
He felt that the innocent Lepchas were gradually forgetting their age-old culture, tradition, language and literature due to the onslaught of circumstances. He realized that a man without culture is like a man without backbone. An ambitious man like Lopan Sonam Tshering Lepcha then dedicated his life for the cause of Lepchas and its vanishing culture.
The then Chogyal of Sikkim, Sir Tashi Namgyal appointed him as an Organiser for the Lepcha Songs and Dances in 1954. On 14 October 1960, he became the first Lepcha Radio Artist and the first Lepcha song was broadcast by the All India Radio, Kalkota.
In order to popularize the Lepcha literature, the first monthly journal “ACHULEY” was brought out by him which was cyclostyled and circulated on 2 April 1967 and continued till 1969.
With the very strong recommendations of the Lepcha Association, Darjeeling, Sikkim Councillor Mr. Chhyodup Lepcha, all Head priests, Heads of villages of both Darjeeling District and Sikkim, his composition “Lepcha National Anthem” was presented to the Lepcha Community on 6th November 1967.
Subsequently, he presented the popular Lepcha Dance-drama “Teesta-Rongeet” based on the “Lepcha Folklore” on origin of two prominent rivers of Sikkim and Darjeeling Hills for the first time at Darjeeling on 28 December 1967. It was his masterpiece and achievement of his career.
The Winner of “Pantong Palit” (Lepcha Folk Flute) competition in 1956, Lopan for the first time introduced and played the unknown Lepcha musical instrument “Tambuk” and “Sutsaang” on 8 October, 1969 in the All India Programme, Darjeeling.
He compiled centuries old records and did research work for twelve long years in the Lepcha musical instruments and brought out the first Lepcha musical book, “The Lepchas and their indigenous musical instruments” in 1970 in Lepcha language. His selfless contribution made him popularly known as “Rong Lopan”- The Lepcha Master.
Lopan Sonam Tshering has written more than 500 songs and choreographed 102 folk dances and 10 dance dramas. And each song, dance and drama has a history of its own, revealing the versatility of the writer.
He is running his own private Lepcha Museum at Bom, Kalimpong.
The Department of Culture, Government of Sikkim presented him a Citation in recognition of his high standard of excellence and outstanding achievement in 1995.
He is the recipient of highest Lepcha honour “Nur Mayel Kohom” and “ Nur Mayel” awarded by the District Lepcha Association in 1973 and “G. B. Mainwaring Award” by the Sikkim Lepcha Youth Association in 1996 in honour of his selfless contribution towards promotion of the Lepcha language and culture.
In recognition of his high standards of excellence and outstanding achievements towards the preservation of age old Lepcha heritage, the State Government of Sikkim had very strongly recommended his name for the highest National Awards. Lapon Sonam Tshering Lepcha was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi on 18 December 1996 and Padma Shree Award on 5 April 2007. He received both prestigious National Awards from the President of India in New Delhi.
The following books of his remain to be published:
1.Vor oT Vsu (Lepcha History)
2. Vor pan pNuid Vsu (History of Lepcha Kings and Queens)
3. mNu VbU:T_Zssa AaiÜ^ Vsu (The Origin of Lepcha Priestesses and Priests)

For Query : Call up Phone No. 9800033650

For delivery of the Lepcha songs book "Vam Jat Ling Chhyo" via Post.
Please give your complete postal Address at e-mail : lepchaeducation@gmail.com
Price Rs 250 (Including Postal Charges)