A PRESENTATION ABOUT BEAUTIFUL SIKKIM

1. BEAUTIFUL SIKKIM
POWERPOINT PRESENTATION ON THE ART & CULTURE OF SIKKIM BY:
MIRZA FUZAIL BAIG
CLASS X A

2. INTRODUCTION:
• Sikkim is a state in northeastern India - a part of the Eastern Himalaya. Sikkim is
notable for its biodiversity, including alpine and subtropical climates, as well as being a
host to Kanchenjunga, the highest peak in India and third highest on Earth. Art and
Culture of Sikkim revolve around the beautiful varieties of regional dances, dramas and
paintings practiced by the local inhabitants of the North-Eastern Indian state of Sikkim.
Sikkim is a unique blend of different religion, customs and traditions of different
communities. Sikkim is like a beautiful bouquet that is adorned with the amazing colors
and essence of different flowers, in the form of attractive folk dances, customs and
traditions of different tribes and castes.

3. ART FORMS FOUND IN SIKKIM
The people residing in Sikkim displayed complete dexterity in paintings:
• 'Thangka' is a beautiful religious scroll which is hand painted and employs bright hues. The
patterns are etched on fabric. The themes of Thangka are a portrayal of the life of Lord
Buddha and also the lives of the great saints, Buddhist masters and 'Bodhisattvas’.
• Concepts like 'Mandalas', 'Tashi Taggye', the 'Wheel of Life', 'Dharmachakra' and many
others have been used in such paintings.
• Red and Yellow are the principal colours that are employed in the paintings and are said to
possess a certain symbolic significance. These colours signify the distinction between life and
fire, intellectual and emotional, as well as immaterial and material.

4. • On the other hand, the colour Orange, which is produced by the combination of the
colours yellow and red symbolise wisdom and profound knowledge.
• Blue, Violet and Green are the other colours utilized in these works of art. The colour
blue is said to signify positive energy and green is used to imply the vegetable aspects.
• 'Lossar' and 'Saga Dawa' are the festivals wherein Thangka paintings are carried out.

5. CULTURE OF THE PEOPLE OF SIKKIM
DANCE
• Sikkim is usually famous for Monastic Dances. The reputed
mask dances of Sikkim are uniquely beautiful and these
dances, known as 'Chaams' are practised during festivals and
other ceremonial events. The dances are performed as a
means of welcoming the New Year and ushering in good luck.
Masks of dragons, birds and animals are worn by the Chaams
dancers, while the costumes were generally finely brocaded.
Satin clothes are used, which are embroidered in gold,
particularly the cape and gown. The 'dorjee' or the
thunderbolt sceptre is held by the cape.
• The beginning of this dance is proclaimed from inside the
premises of the ‘Gompa’. Long copper horns and radong are
blown during the commencement of the Chaams dance.

6. • Bearers of incense sticks move amongst the audience,
imparting a magical ambience to the dance performance.
As the dance progresses, the actual drama starts
unfolding, wherein the most significant character is
'Mahakala', and the other protective deities are invoked in
his presence. Some of the most famous dance forms are
Rechungma, Gha To Kito, Chi Rmu, Be Yu Mista, Tashi
Zaldha, Enchey Chaam, Lu Khangthamo, Gnungmala
Gnunghey, and Kagyed Dance.
• Dancers wear masks of animals like the lion, tiger, yak,
mythical creature called the winged 'Garuda' and also of
the stag and walk about in measured footsteps, cheered
on by the music of trumpets, cymbals and others.

7. CULTURE OF THE PEOPLE OF SIKKIM
FOOD
• Rice is the staple food of the state.
• Momos, also known as dumplings and
wantons are favorites among the
Sikkimese people as well as the tourists.
• When it comes to non-vegetarian food,
they prefer fish, beef, and pork. The people
of the state grow crops like wheat, barley,
buckwheat, finger millet, potato, and
soybeans etc. Recently Sikkim has put a
milestone in organic cultivation process.

8. CULTURE OF THE PEOPLE OF SIKKIM
LANGUAGE
• Nepali is the primary language of Sikkim
while Lepcha and Sikkimese (Bhutia) are
also spoken in some part of this north-
east province.
• English is also spoken by the people of
Sikkim. Other languages include Kafle,
Limbu, Majhwar, Yakha, Tamang,
Tibetan, and Sherpa.

9. CULTURE OF THE PEOPLE OF SIKKIM
RELIGION
• According to the 2011 census, 57.8%
follow Hinduism, making it the Sikkim’s majority
religion.
• Buddhism is followed by 27.4% of the population,
while Christianity is followed by 9.9%. Vajrayana
Buddhism is Sikkim's second-largest, yet most
prominent religion, which accounts for 27.3
percent of the population.
• Prior to Sikkim's becoming a part of the
Indian Union, Vajrayana Buddhism was
the state religion under the Chogyal.
Sikkim has 75 Buddhist monasteries, the
oldest dating back to the 1700s.

10. CULTURE OF THE PEOPLE OF SIKKIM
CLOTHES
• The main costume donned by Bhutias is
the Bakhu or Kho. Worn by men and
women alike, Bakhu is very similar to the
Tibetan Chuba, except that it is
sleeveless. It is a loose cloak-like garb
which is tied at the neck and tightened
around the waist by a belt made of silk
or cotton. The Bakhu has found
modifications over the years.

11. • The traditional attire of Lepcha women
involves a sari-like garment known as
Dumvum or Dumyam. It is an ankle-length
outfit, silky and smooth binding comfort
and culture together. Underneath, a loose-
fitting blouse in a contrasting colour is
worn known as Tago. To complete the look,
a type of belt called the Nyamrek and Taro,
a cap is worn. A scarf called Gorey is often
used to cover the head.

12. CULTURE OF THE PEOPLE OF SIKKIM
JEWELLERY
• Just like the dresses, Sikkim’s people wears
variety of ornaments. During festivities and
other occasions, women can be spotted
wearing traditional jewellery like the Namchok
(ear-ring), Lyak (necklace) and Gyar (bracelet).
Mostly, gold and silver are used in their making.
• Bhutia women accessorize themselves with
jewellery known as - Yencho (earring), Khao
(necklace), Phiru (pearl ornament), Diu (gold
bangle), Khalli (thick silver-coated anklets) and
Joko (ring).
• They are known to have an affinity for gold,
especially the pure 24-carat gold. They
essentially prefer pure, heavy gold ornaments.
The ornaments that give a gaudy appearance to
the Nepalese women are Sir-Bandi or
tiaraKantha, a necklace, Naugeri, a pearl-
necklace, Charanihari, Tilhari, Bulaki, Gadwari,
and Kalli.

13. CULTURE OF THE PEOPLE OF SIKKIM
TOURISM
• Tourism in Sikkim gained popularity during the
last decade with an increasing number of
tourists visiting this hilly region for its natural
beauty. Till the early ’90s, few tourists would
visit this landlocked state.
• Bagdogra (120 km from Gangtok) is the major
airport of the region. New Jalpaiguri Rail Station
(115 km from Gangtok) is the major railhead.
Siliguri (110 km from Gangtok) is the main
junction where Road, Air, and Rail traveler gets
down before traveling to Sikkim.
• Tourists can visit:
Gangtok, Pelling, Lachen, Lachung, Ravangla,
Yumthang Valley, Tsangu
Lake, Gurudongmar etc.

14. THANK YOU FOR WATCHING