National Seminar on Lepcha Language.

The second successive National Seminar on Lepcha Language and Literature was held on the occasion of the 189th Birth Anniversary Celebration of Thikoong Gen. G.B. Mainwaring at Poloongdang, Sukhia Pokhari, Darjeeling District, West Bengal.

The seminar reflected the magnitude of Lepcha language in the Himalayan transformation. It offered special insights into the Lepcha language and literature and its importance for the different societies living in this part of the region. Meticulous facts were thoroughly discussed and exhibited. Young and old irrespective of any society were encouraged to develop an objectivity through the knowledge passed on in the seminar, which will help them paint an entirely different pictureof Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas.

The seminar was held under the Department of Lepcha Language and Literature, ‘Mayel Lyang’ Lepcha Development Board. The programme started at 10.30am, with the invocation to the deities of the Himalayas by Boogthing P.T. Simikmoo Lepcha.It was followed by the opening of ‘Thikoong Mainwaring Multi Utility Centre’, which was inaugurated by Shri. Sanjay K. Thade, I.A.S. Principal Secretary of Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal. The concrete structure was constructed by the ‘Mayel Lyang’ Lepcha Development Board of West Bengal.It will offer the people a space to hold meetings, festivals, and other functions important to Lepcha culture.

 

The programme proceeded with the Lepcha cultural Identity anthem ‘Aachuley’. The song was lead by the cultural group of Mayel Lyang Lepcha Development Board and was sung by everyone present in the programme.

Then, Renyoo Premkit Lepcha sung the ‘Apryaa Vom’, (a spontaneous composition of lyrics in a rhythmic ton) traditional to Lepcha culture. The song beautifully described the Himalayas, the flora and fauna which is guarded by ‘Lunzi Lung-noang’ (the deities of nature). In her ‘Apryaa Vom’ she reminded us of the greatness of Thikoong Gen. Mainwaring and his dedication, love and work towards the Lepcha. The lyrics of her ‘Apryaa Vom’ continuously flowed in a sweet tone welcoming each and every guest present in the programme.

Ren Ongden Lepcha and his team followed with the theme song ‘An ode to Gen. G.B. Mainwaring’. Immediately after this event, a book by the name ‘Thikoong Gen. G. B. Mainwaring The champion of  Lepchas’ was released by the respected Chief Guest and the Guests of honour. It encompasses the speeches held during the seminar so that people who were unable to attend, can still benefit from the knowledge and issues discussed on the day.

The Chairman, Mayel Lyang Development Board, Ren Lyangsong Tamsang, gavea short formal welcome speech in English. On this occasion the Chairman placed the following two important demands in front of Shri. Sanjay K. Thade, I.A.S. Principal Secretary, Backward Classes Welfare Department, Govt. of West Bengal. The first point was the immediate need for the speedy progress in the introduction of Lepcha language in the primary government schools in the District of Darjeeling. He added that students coming from villages are being denied the opportunity to learn their own mother tongue in their own home land. The second point was for the immediate materialisation of the projects submitted by Ren. G. Namchu, Member secretary of M.L.L.D.B. with regards to the 45 Lepcha night schools and the three day schools running in different villages in the District of Darjeeling. They will facilitate access to education for the under privileged children in the remote corners of the villages.

The eminent scholars who presented theirpapers in this seminar were:

Ren Lyangsong  Tamsang, Chairman, Mayel Lyang Lepcha Development Board.

Ren Saibal Sengupta, Research Scholar, Assam Don Bosco Universiry, Guwahati.

Ren Denis Lepcha, Lepchalogist and a historian, St. Robert’s Higher Secondary School, Darjeeling.

Ren D.T. Tamlong IAS (Retd) Author of ‘Mayel Lyang & the lepchas’

Dr. Ratnottama Das, Modern Indian Languagesand Literature, Delhi University. An Assemese Novelist.

Dr D. C. Roy , Head of Economics Department, Kalimpong College.

Ren Saldong Lepcha , Lepcha Linguist, Gangtok,Sikkim.

Prof. Chandra P. Pattanaik H.O.D.  Moder Indian Languages and Literature, Delhi University.

Dr Tapan Kumar Das Motijyee College, Dum Dum , Kolkatta.

Shri. J.B. Mangrati , WBCS(Retd)

Renyoo Minket Lepcha, Social worker, Marketing associate for ‘Life and Leaf.’

(Their papers are published in the book ‘Thikoong General G.B. Mainwaring. The champion of the Lepchas’)

At the end of the seminar, Ren D. Lepcha played melodious tunes on the Puntong Palit  ( Lepcha traditional four holed flute ) in the programme hall surrounded by green forests.

The Mayel Lyang Lepcha Development Board’s cultural troupe carried the programme forward with entertaining traditional dances and music.

The programme ended at 3pm.