Folk Dances Of Sikkim

SIKKIM FOLK DANCES Sikkim is a very pretty state of India. It is surrounded with mountains. This state has a lot of diversity in folk dances as well. We have described some of the popular folk dances of Sikkim that are listed below:  Yah Chham Folk Dance Singhi Chham Folk Dance Tendong Lho Rum Faat Folk Dance Chu Faat Folk Dance Dhaan Naach Folk Dance  Lepcha Folk Dance

  Yak Chham Folk Dance Through this group dance performed by four male dancers under the command of herdsman, utility of Yak for a common man living in high altitude areas is              shown. The dance begins in slow and measured steps to the clash of cymbals and the sound of trumpet. The group dance always makes a powerful impact on the audience and appears very attractive to the children. Though Chhams are performed in all the monasteries of the Sikkim, the once performed at Pemayangtse, Rumtek and Enchey being more impressive draw to draw a large number of audience.        

  Singhi Chham Folk Dance In this group dance five boys led by a herdsman dance like legendary   Snowlion. The snowlion is a significant cultural symbol of the state. The presence of to snowlions dancing under the guidance of herdsman        looks extremely attractive and enchanting to the viewers. During this dance any kind of music is not being played, the dancers dance on the beats of musical instruments like, Drum, Cymbal, Yarka and Yangjey.

  Tendong Lho Rum Faat Folk Dance It is base don a famous Lepcha folk lore often retold to new generation of Lepchas in the form of lyrical poetry. This group dance is performed  to save people from the onslaught of mighty, mountainous rivers. Firsts Lepchas were living on the Tendong Hill in South Sikkim are reported to have offered prayers to God through this dance. They desired the almighty to save from the disaster of rising of water. As per folklore, God came as a bird and start sprinkling the water sacred millet beer on water. Soon, the level of water subsided and people heaved a sigh of relief.    

Chu Faat Folk Dance Literal meaning of Chu is snowy range, while that of Faat is worship. This is group folk dance i.e. performed in the honour of Mount Khangchendzonga, the guardian deity of the Sikkimese people. The dancers while carrying the butter lamps and green bamboo leaves perform a ritualistic dance by singing devotional songs.  

  Dhaan Naach Dhaan Naach, which means Paddy dance, which people do when Paddy(Dhaan) is harvested. This group dance is performed by four men and four women with the backing of harmonium, madal, flute and ghoongur shows the symbol of good and firm spirit of farmer against rain and scorching heat.  In the order to break the monotony of routine field work, men and women attempt merrymaking  through song and dance. Its is a ritualistic dance performed by the youth and old alike in traditional costumes, since time in immemorial.

Lepcha Dance   Lepcha Dance is one of the most popular dance of Sikkim. This is a romantic couple dance. Through this romantic dance the story of a young boy and a girl in love is conveyed.  A group of boys ask a group of girls for their hands for the purpose of marriage and in turn promise them with rich gifts and ornaments, The girls, however, turn down the offer and ask them to approach instead. This colourful dance is performed with the support of melodious Lepcha songs and musical instruments such as Sanga(Drum), Yangjey(String Instrument), Cymbal, Yarka, Flute and Tungbuk.