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He felt that the innocent Lepchas were gradually
forgetting their age-old culture, tradition and literature, due to
onslaught of circumstances. He realized that a man without culture
is like a man without backbone. An ambitious man like Mr.Sonam 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 Lepcha Songs and Dances in 1954.
On 14th at a function, October 1960, he became the first Lepcha
Radio 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 out by him which was
cyclostyled and circulated on April 2.,1967 and continued till 1969
.
With the recommendation of the Lepcha Association
Darjeeling, Sikkim Counsellor Mr. Chhyodup Lepcha, all Head priests,
Heads of villages of both Darjeeling District and Sikkim, his
composition "Lepcha National Hymn" was presented to the Lepcha
Community on 6th November, 1967. Subsequently, he presented the
popular Lepcha Dance-drama “Teesta-Rangit" - based on the "Lepcha
folklore" on origin of two prominent Rivers of Sikkim for the first
time at Darjeeling on 28th December, 1967. It was his masterpiece
and achievement of his career.
The Winner of "Pantong Pilit" (Lepcha Folk Flute)
competition in 1956, Sonam for the first time introduced and played
the unknown Lepcha musical instrument 'Tumbok' ( a type of Tungna )
and "Satsang" (a type of Sarangi) on 8th October, 1969 in the All
India Programme.
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 on "The Lepchas and their
indigenous musical instruments" in 1970 in Lepcha language. His
selfless contribution made him popularly known as "RONG LOPON" - The
Lepcha Master.
Sonam Tshering has written more than 400 songs and
choreographed 102 folk dances and 10 dance dramas. And each song has
a history of its own, revealing the versatility of the writer.
Sonam Tshering is happy to arrange his published
songs in subject-wise and chronological manner. He is now writing on
"New Edition" for the Lepcha Grammar on the various topics and
another book on "The Lepchas World" covering the "Sath" or "Ragas",
"Lepcha forecast & cycle", Rituals and Revival from death".
Besides, he is running his own private Lepcha Museum in 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 a recipient of highest honour "Nur Mayal
Kohom " and Nur Mayal" awarded by the District Lepcha Association in
1973 and "G.B. Mainwarring Award" by the Sikkim Lepcha Youth
Association in 1996 in honour of his selfless contribution towardS
promotion of the Lepcha and its culture.
In recognition of his high standards of excellence
and outstanding achievements towards the preservation of age-old
heritage of Lepcha and its people, the State Government of Sikkim
had recommended his name for the highest honour of National Award,
Shri Sonam Tshering Lepcha was awarded the National Award in Music
by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi. He received the prestigious
National Award from the President of India in a function held at the
Rastrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on 18th December, 1996. |
