SAHITYA AKADEMI LITERARY PROGRAM ON INDIAN NEPALI LITERATURE HELD IN MANIPUR

8:26 AM

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nepali

Writes: Dinesh Sharma

Sahitya Akademi, Delhi and Nepali Sahitya Parishad, Manipur jointly hosted a one-day literary meet "Swatantratottar Bharatiya Nepali Kathako Pravriti" with a panel discussion on post-Independence Indian Nepali Literature, on 27th March, 2016. The program was held at Charhajare, a tiny Gorkha village in Senapati District bordering the hill district and the valleys of Manipur.

Shri Devendra Kumar Devesh, Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Sahitya Academy Delhi and Shri Prem Pradhan, Nepali Language Advisory board (Sahitya Akademi) attended the program as Guests of Honor. Shri Lok Bahadur Basnet, President-Nepali Sahitya Parishad, and Smt. Durga Devi, retired Professor D.M College, Manipur also attended the program.

Other dignitaries present during the occassion were P.V Shelman from North-East Centre for Oral and Tribal Literature (NECOL), Manipur University and Shri Biswajit Roy from Kolkata, Shri Arjun Pradhan from Darjeeling, Sukraj Diyali from Silliguri, and Gopichandra Pradhan from Darjeeling.

PROGRAM ON INDIAN NEPALI LITERATURE HELD IN MANIPUR

The discussion of the one-day program centered around the changing trends in post-independence Indian Nepali literature. Ms. Pushpa Sharma, Lecturer Presidency College, Manipur presented a paper on "Swatantratottar Bharatiya Nepali kathako prabriti", a discussion on the changing trends in Indian Nepali short story.

Dr Tankanath Khatiwada, Lecturer Presidency College presented a paper on "Swatantratottar Bharatiya Nepali Sahitya maa Yuddhha", a discussion on post-independence Nepali war literature.

Shri Milan Bantawa from Darjeeling presented his paper on 'Swatantratottar Bharatiya Nepali Katha ani Uttar Adhunikta', a discussion on post-modern elements in Indian Nepali Literature.
The literary program was organized by Nepali Sahitya Parishad, Manipur and was supported by students, organizations and individuals from various Gorkha organizations across the state.

Calling the event a huge success, Kritimani Khatiwada, General Secretary stated that “this is perhaps the first time that a program of this scale was directly organized in collaboration with Sahitya Akademi, Delhi. The contribution of Manipur Gorkha scholars to Indian Nepali literature is immense and this is a fruitful recognition of the same.” While thanking all organizations and individuals and organizations for the success of the program, Khatiwada hopes that Manipur Gorkha community continues to witness more such programs in coming days and generate more interest amongst the youths and students towards the language.

POSTSCRIPT: In written records, the first Indian Nepali literature came out of Manipur as “Manipurko Ladaiko Sabai” in 1893 by Tulachand Aale . Nepali Sahitya Parishad, Manipur plans to hold an elaborate celebration of the literary milestone with its 125 years’ celebration in 2018. The proposal has been forwarded to Sahitya Akademi and the Parishad humbly request the support and wishes of everyone for this landmark celebration.

[Pictures courtesy: Rahul Rai]

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Video - Maruni dance in World Culture Festival

10:42 AM

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Video

Gorkha cultural traditional Maruni  is a dance from Sikkim and Darjeeling usually performed by the males in female costumes, whose body movements are extremely graceful. 370 performers dance to the Samala beat , a rhythm expressing celebration with a touch of romance , on the second day of World Culture Festival organized by The Art Of Living.

About 370 participants between 15 to 45 years, from various districts of Sikkim, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Dooars, and some remote villages falling under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration will congregate in New Delhi to bring to the world the scintillating folk dance with its own folklore. Sikkim alone counts for 118 young dancers; most of them hailing from West District. Others are from Namchi in South Sikkim and Kokaley and Khesey in East Sikkim. Hon’ble Minister for Cultural Affairs & Heritage Department Government of Sikkim Shri. G.M. Gurung is likely to attend the three-day festival. A huge contingent of Art of Living volunteers from Sikkim will be travelling to New Delhi to be part of this extravaganza.

Watch the video

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Maruni dance to be performed on World Culture Festival by Art of Living

11:56 AM

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Sikkim

Writes: Prashant Acharya

A host of traditional Gorkha 'Maruni' dancers from Sikkim, the Darjeeling hills and the Dooars are set to create a world record by performing at the World Culture Festival on Saturday that is being organised by the Art of Living Foundation at Mayur Vihar in New Delhi.

Three hundred and fifty dancers and their team leaders have already reached New Delhi for performing on Saturday evening on a giant stage sprawled across 7 acres of land. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the function in the presence of officials from 155 nations.

The Maruni dancers from Sikkim and north Bengal have undergone rigorous practice over the past two months and will mesmerize an estimated audience of 35 lakh people during the three-day festival, aimed at celebrating diversity among world cultures and uniting peoples across geographical boundaries.

Ramkumar Lama, the dance coordinator from the Dooars, said, "The almost forgotten Nepali folk dance will see a grand revival and get promoted across the world. We intend to make it into the Guinness Book of world records."

Maruni dancers from Darjeeling, Sikkim, and Dooars en route to create world record

Meanwhile, Raj Sharma, the coordinator from Sikkim, said 118 dancers from the state’s West, East and South districts are participating and a huge contingent of Art of Living volunteers from Sikkim have already reached New Delhi to be part of the extravaganza.

“In the days of yore, men used to adorn women’s attire and enact female roles while performing the Maruni dance because women were forbidden to perform in public. But this has changed now, of course,” said Karuna Pradhan, the coordinator from Darjeeling. She said the song for the Maruni folk dance is in the 'Samala' beat and has been written by Rajen Ghimire while the dance choreographer is Lhamu Sherpa.


Via: ECOI

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THE FACES IN OUR MIDST – NETRA PRASAD SHARMA

9:57 AM

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Sikkim

Bijay Sharma

At 84 years of age, Mr. Netra Prasad Sharma is still as active as most people would be in their 30s. Perhaps even more!!

Locals in his village Adarsh Gaon, Singtam – South Sikkim lovingly call him Netra Baje… and everyone is fond of him.

He retired from his job in the Power Department some 25 years ago and has kept himself occupied with one vocation or the other. But of late he has devoted himself to conserving our traditional instruments and equipments.

He makes - Madal, Damaru, Khaijadi, Kathtal, Khikurim Hatepakha, and various handicraft products using bamboo and mato (mud).

Netra Baje doesn’t make these instruments for money, rather he is passionate about transferring the art to youngsters, whom he hopes will carry on his passion and the dying art of making our traditional instruments are conserved.

Netra Prasad Sharma

Netra Baje is particularly popular amongst school going kids, who have often taken his work and showed it as theirs for the compulsory “Work Education” or “Crafts – Haat ko Kaam” classes and secured 1st class marks in their subjects

Netra Baje says “time is precious and we should all make the most of it… you don’t necessarily have to earn money doing something you love… you just need to keep your passion alive.”
Coming from an 84 year old, those are sage advice which we intend to take… and we hope our readers will as well.

If anyone wants to contact him, he can be reached at: 98323-82494

Bijay Sharma, Via: our partner organization The Times Dooars & TheDC

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Week long Darjeeling Cultural and Tourism Festival 2015

8:47 AM

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Tourism

Tourist in the second day of the ongoing week long Darjeeling Cultural and Tourism Festival (DCTF) did what they had only watched actors do in cinemas and wished. The festival organizers gave enthusiastic tourists a thrilling opportunity, to dance on the moving Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), a first for many of them.

And willing tourists did not let go of the opportunity as some of them climbed aboard the open coach of the toy train and showed their moves. “Fifteen years back I had taken my last ride on the toy train. But, today it was an amazing and different experience, to dance on one of them with people on the streets looking at us. I felt like a movies star,” said an elated Prashant Divedhi from Kolkata.

Burdawan resident Animika Bhowkick did not dance but the ride from Darjeeling to Ghoom and back was a memorable one for her. “I am not much of a dancer so I refrained from joining the others. However, it was just as much a scintillating experience to be a part of the road show. I thank the organizers and wish them well for future, too,” she said.

The DCTF that is organized by the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) has become an annual affair in the Hills. It is organized every year this month in November with the objective to attract tourists to the Hill station.

This year the festival is being held from November 1 to 7 in Darjeeling sub-division. Similar events will also be organized in the other sub-divisions of Kurseong, Kalimpong and Mirik, till November 8.

The cultural dance (on different Nepali songs) on the moving DHR train however will only be held for three days from today. Performers from the GTA’s information and cultural department will perform every morning for three days on the 10.40 am diesel run train from Darjeeling to Ghoom and back with a break at the Batasia War Memorial. Bhanu Kanta Ghisingh, the GTA information and cultural department assistant director said, “The idea behind having dancers from the department on the moving train is to bring to highlight and promote our cultural. Tourists can even participate with our dancing troupe, which we believe will give them a trilling experience”.

Not only tourists but the performers too were elated with the opportunity to dance on the heritage train. “I have been dancing for thirteen years but this is the first time on a moving train. This experience I will keep till my last days. Of course, dancing on moving train is never easy but I managed it all the same,” said Ram Limboo, one of the male dancers.

The festival will showcase the various culture and traditions of the Hills communities. Stalls have been put up at the Gorkha Ranga Manch Bhawan dishing our traditional delicacies and in the evening local bands will entertain tourist and locals alike for the next six days.

Source EOI

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OPEN LETTER TO GNLF CHIEF MANN GHISING

3:05 PM

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Subash Ghisingh

Open letter to GNLF‬ president Mann Ghisingh on his controversial statement on traditional dress of Daura Sural and Chowbandi Choli in his recent press release.

Writes Dipendra Khati

Dear Mann Jojo,

I am very confused about on what language should I write this letter to you. Though English emanated from England (Official language of England), I found it to be universally accepted, so that is the language that I chose to communicate with you today, hope you will not be displeased with it, as it seems these days you are getting annoyed at things that are not from Darjeeling.

 Late. Subhas Ghising always wore his Dhaka-Topi with pride

According to your official statement dated 21/8/2015, you claim that Daura Suruwal is the official dress of Nepal and people going to Delhi and Kolkata in this dress are ‘पट्ट मुर्खहरु - Patt Murkha haru”.

Here, I would like to inform you that Daura Suruwal is not just Official dress of Nepal, but also the traditional dress of Nepali/Gorkha people, though some communities have their own dresses, but majority of the Gorkhali people wear it. I don’t find any logic behind your statement. Do you want us to not use Daura Suruwal, Chaubandi Choli and all other Nepali dresses and ornaments just because they are – according to you – “Official dress of Nepal?”

Ok let me accept that…

But what about language? Your official statement came in Nepali language… isn’t that “Nepal ko Sarkari bhasa”??

Going by your logic we should not be using that language too, because it’s the “official language of Nepal.” So pray tell me, why did you choose to communicate in Nepali?

Our Nepali proverb, “काम पायिनस बुहारी कनिका पोखौंदै उठा" summarizes what you just did.

I think there are many issue and topic you can talk about, and of all the things you could have talked about, you chose to speak about our जातीय पोशाक??

Late. Subash Ghising must be turning in his grave, for he always wore his “जातीय ढाकाको टोपी” with pride and in fine style. I wonder what he would have said to your comment on our जातीय पोशाक??

Moreover, I found that you sound more hypocrite when you talk about “पुरनो रिती रिवाजहरुले भरिएको बहुमुल्य संस्कृतिलाई सन्बैधनिक सुरक्षा प्रदान गर्नको लागि साथ् साथै गोर्खा जातीको चिन्हारीलाई पनि सजिलै बोक्नसक्ने नयाँ नाम करण भएको "गोर्खा हिल्ल काउन्सिल” this and later you phrase out “नेपाल देश को सरकारी पोसाक लगएर दिल्ली कोलकाता”... don’t those Daura Suruwal come under “पुरनो रिती रिवाजहरुले भरिएको बहुमुल्य संस्कृति”????

Ohh and most important issue here, you said, “गोर्खा जाती को चिन्हारीलाई पनि सजिलै बोक्नसक्ने नयाँ नाम करण भएको "गोर्खा हिल्ल काउन्सिल” really?? If the नाम करण of ‘GORKHA Hill Council’ can carry carry गोर्खा जाती को चिन्हारी then why GORKHALAND Territorial Administration (I am not a supporter of GTA) wouldn’t do the same, if not better?

By the way it seems you were not told why our Aappa Late. Subhas Ghising came and fought for Gorkhaland. As I see no mention of word Gorkhaland in your official statement. May be you forgot or.....??....

You have said “यदी यी कुराहरुमा सरकार अघी बढ़दैन भने गो रा मु मो ले हाम्रो भुभागबारे केन्द्र सरकारसित वार्ता को बाटो खोल्न वाध्य हुनेछ” what was that? What stops you? Why not??

If you want to engage with central Govt. about our land, that will be very appreciable, but I am very suspicious about that comment of yours.

Sorry Jojo, I am no body to judge you, but what I felt is... ‘हजुर पनि त्यहि ढ्यांग को मुला हुनु हुदा रैछ”

Thank you
Dipendra Khati
Well wisher of Maato and Jaati... Not Neta or Party


Via The Darjeeling Chronicle

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GNLF Mann Ghisingh's controversal statement on cultural dress

2:15 PM

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Politics

Writes: Vivek Chhetri

The president of the Gorkha National Liberation Front in a press release today termed the traditional dress of the Nepali community as the the official dress of Nepal, eliciting criticism from all hill parties.

GNLF president Mann Ghisingh controversal statement on traditional dress of Daura Sural and Chowbandi Choli
-Photo of the press release via The Darjeeling Chronicle's

GNLF president Mann Ghisingh stated in the statement in Nepali: "The Darjeeling hills has failed to recognize its own land (that would have come through the inclusion of the area in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution). Everybody became fools not to understand the Gorkha's own land and the Gorkha Hill Council. They started going to Delhi and Calcutta wearing the official dress of Nepal."

Mann's statement did not explain who the "they" referred to.

Many hill leaders have worn the traditional daura sural and chowbandi choli to meet state-level and central leaders on many occasions. Few years ago, the Morcha had issued a diktat making it compulsory for hill people to wear the attire for a month. Following backlash, it had removed the mandatory tag on the order.

"After having scored two major political victories, on August 22 and August 23, 1988, a third major political victory had been achieved by signing the tripartite agreement on December 6, 2005, to form the Gorkha Hill Council, that would have carried the distinct identity of the Indian Gorkhas," the signed statement reads.

The new council under the Sixth Schedule was to be named Gorkha Hill Council.

On August 22, 1988, the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council accord was signed and the next day, the Centre had issued a notification stating that all those living in India before 1950 were Indian citizens.

The GNLF is of the opinion that the citizenship issue of Gorkhas in India was clarified by the notification.

The GNLF's statement terming the traditional dress of daura sural and chowbandi choli as the official dress of Nepal has surprised others.

Binay Tamang, the assistant secretary of the Morcha said: "The dress is of our community and he (Mann Ghisingh) must clarify what we should wear now. Subash Ghisingh took our community behind by 25 years by indulging in controversies and now they are again taking our community behind by raking up unnecessary controversies."

Even ABGL and CPRM, allies of the GNLF in the newly-constituted Democratic Front, criticised the statement.

"This is not a correct statement. I hope the GNLF will ponder over the statement and rectify it," said Pratap Khati, general secretary of ABGL.

Govind Chhetri, spokesman of the CPRM, said: "The GNLF must retract and apologise for hurting the sentiments of the Indian Gorkhas."

Mann did not take calls today. Biren Lama, a central committee member of GNLF, said: "I don't think this is a controversial statement."

Towards the end of the press release, GNLF warns that the "Central and State Government will be responsible for any political instability in the future, and anything on toward happens in Darjeeling in the future."

Source: Telegraph

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Charity Event - Ramailo with Gorkha by Run with Roshni

10:11 PM

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Run with Roshni

Run with Roshni Foundation’ cordially invites you to come and enjoy ‘Ramailo With Gorkhas’, an evening filled with rich Gorkhali culture, delicious cuisine and a room filled with warm & friendly Gorkha smiles.

Run with Roshni -a Mission- a Vision- a Dream ! Run with Roshni is a Brainchild of Roshni Rai, a Gorkha girl from a village known as Pedong in the District of Darjeeling, West Bengal. Roshni is Advocate by profession and she is based in Mumbai.

‘Ramailo’ translates as entertainment in Nepali language and since life is short we believe to seek happiness in everything we do. The key objective of this initiative ‘Ramailo with Gorkha’ is to raise funds to sponsor 12 passionate but under privileged runners from Darjeeling looking forward to run the Mumbai Marathon.

This platform aims to provides an awareness about all the Indian Gorkhas, their unsung contribution and showcase their rich cultural heritage that contributes to making mother India, awesome!

So come, engage in conversation with the talented Gorkhas and witness the culture come alive through a short Cultural Program which will be followed by the launch of the book ‘Mountain to the Ocean- Run with Roshni’ written by budding author, Roshni Rai.

We are extremely obliged to have Mr. Adille Sumariwall, President of Atletics Federation of India who will grace the event, as Chief Guest.

With the support of GTA, we are getting some dancers from Darjeeling to perform in ‘Ramailo with Gorkhas’.

You have always supported us with wishes and prayers, this day we look forward to meeting you in person.

Please grace our event with your presence & support us to bring the emotional integrity & Unity in Diversity of India with Gorkha Community.

So Come celebrate with Gorkhas, Celebrate being Indian.

Date: 12 Sept, 2015

Time: 6pm to 8:30pm

Venue: Cidco Auditorium, Vashi, Next to Rajasthan Bhavan

For further information contact Mrs. Poonam Lama- 9819318894 and Mrs. Jaya Chhetri- 9930535126

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२०१औं भानु-जयन्तीको सुसन्देश

9:52 AM

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society

Nahakul Chhetri

सन् १८१४मा तनहूँ जिल्लाको रम्घा गाउँमा जन्म लिने भानुभक्त आचार्यलाई नेपाली साहित्यमा आदिकविको रूपमा मानिन्छ| भानुभक्त अघि पनि धेरै कविहरू थिए जस्तै-इन्दिरस, विद्यारण्यकेसरी अर्याल, हिनव्याकरणी आदि, तर उनीहरूको भाषा शुद्ध थिएन|भानुभक्तले नेपाली भाषा सरल,सरस औ शुद्ध बनाई त्यही मिठास रूपमा नेपाली रामायण जनसमूहलाई समर्पित गरे| यसलाई बाल,बनिता औ वृद्ध सबैले आत्मसाथ गरे|

नेपाली समाजलाई शिछाको ज्योति प्रदान गर्ने भानुभक्तलाई सम्मान गर्ने काम सर्वप्रथम दारजीलिड•बाट ग्यावली, पारसमणि औ धरणीधरहरूले गरे औ उनीहरूकै प्रयासमा चौरस्तामा भानुभक्तको bust निर्माण भयो| तर हालमा दार्जीलिड• पहाडमा भानु जयन्ती त्यो उत्साह औ उल्लाससाथ सायद विरलै मनाइन्छ| जहाँ अन्य समुदायका मानिसहरू आ-आफ्ना जातीय साहित्यकारहरूलाई सह्रदयबाट इज्जत गर्छन् भने दार्जीलिड• पहाडमा "सूचना औ विभाग" मन्त्रालय,GTA,ले करले कार्यक्रम गरछन् भने प्राय सबै स्कुल, कलेज तथा सरकारी संस्थानहरू बन्द गरिन्छ|
साहित्यिक संस्थाहरूमध्ये पनि विशिष्ठ साहित्यकारहरूलाई आफ्नो संस्थामा ल्याउने होड़बाजी देखिन्छ|नेपाली साहित्य एउटा व्यपार नभएर समाजसेवा भएकोले हाम्रा विशिष्ठ साहित्यकारहरू त्यस ठाउँमा जान आवश्यक छ जहाँ भानुभक्त र नेपाली भाषाको प्रचार जरूरी छ|फेरि कतिपय संघ -संस्थाहरूमा भानु-जयन्ती कम तर पुस्तक विमोचन बढ़ी देखिन्छ|
समयको गति अनुसार नेपाली साहित्य अघि बढ़िरहेको छ औ यो गति द्रुत हुन अत्यावश्यक छ| जहाँ अन्य समुदायमा कुनै समारोह मानिलिऊ-"गाँधी जयन्ती" मा गाँन्धी केन्द्रित कार्यक्रम हुन्छ|
1974AD ले "पिञ्जराको सुँगा","आमाको सपना" तथा अम्बर बहादुर गुरूड•ले अगमसिंह गिरीका "नौला तारा उदाय" लाई गीती रूप दिएका छन्| यस्तै प्रकारले भानुभक्तलाई केन्द्र बनाएर वहाँको श्रद्धा अनुरूप श्लोक ,pop, hip hop ,blues, jazz तथा heavy metal गीत भने नाटक तथा कविता आवृत्ति गरे सायद भानुभक्त केन्द्रित कार्यक्रम हुनसक्छ औ न्याय-संगत पनि देखिन्छ|
भानुभक्तको२००औं जन्म जयन्ती उपलछ्यमा वहाँका खनाति र खनातिनी व्रतराज आचार्य औ प्रभा भट्टराई दार्जीलिड• भ्रमणमा आउँदा पहाडको खुलेर प्रशंसा गरेका थिए| फेरि ममता बनर्जीले पुरै साल २०१४ भरी भानु जयन्ती मनाउने वाचा गरेकी थिई जुन उसले पुरा गरिन| 
भानुभक्त हाम्रा जातीय कवि हुन्| हामीले उनको श्रद्धा गर्नु नेपाली समाजको सभ्य प्रतिरूप प्रस्तुत गर्नु हो| हामी सबै मिली स्वच्छ ह्रदयबाट आदिकविको श्रद्धा गरौं|

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First ever Gorkha-Adivasi cultural festival starts in Jaigaon.

6:56 AM

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Jaigaon

The 1st ever Gorkha-Adivasi cultural festival has started with fanfare in Jaigaon.
The four day festival which is being organized at the local Gopi Mohan ground was inaugurated by GTA Chief Bimal Gurung and Adivasi leader John Barla.

First ever Gorkha-Adivasi cultural festival starts in Jaigaon.

Explaining that the program which has been organized jointly by the Gorkhali and Adivasi communities is an attempt at bringing together people from various communities.
Speaking to the Press, Adivasi leader Tulshi Oraon said "the Adivasis and Gorkhas have been living here like one family for the past 150 years, this is an unbreakable bond we have... but there has been repeated attempts to create friction and rivalry between our communities, so programs such as these are important to build stronger bonds..."
Representing the Gorkhas from Assam, Binod Khanal the Chief Advisor of International Nepali Cultural Council said, "we are displaying close to 2800 items used by our community... some of these are almost extinct now.. so conserving them and displaying them to educate our youngsters is necessary... we took over 40 years to collect this... and we are thankful that people in Dooars are appreciating our hard work."

Via : TheDT

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Is GJM Aiming for RSS Route to Statehood?

9:35 AM

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Politics

Vivek Chhetri

The GTA Sabha along with a New Delhi-based organisation, Nepali Sanskriti Parisad (International), has decided to organise a symposium on Nepali culture in Darjeeling, where Indres Kumar, central executive member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, has been invited as the chief guest.
Sidharth Nath Singh, the BJP’s general secretary as well as the party’s minder for Bengal, will also be attending the symposium which will be held at the Gorkha Rangamanch Bhavan in Darjeeling on January 16.

Indres Kumar and Siddharth Nath Singh

“The Nepali Sanskriti Parisad (International) is a Delhi-based organisation having its presence across the country. Indres Kumar, central executive member of the RSS, shall grace the occasion as the chief guest,” Binay Tamang, the executive GTA Sabha member in charge of information and cultural affairs department, said over the phone from Delhi.
The symposium is titled “Sanskritik Jhalak cum Swach Bharat Abhiyan – Sankalp Tatha Yogdan Conference”.

“The aim of the symposium is to preserve, protect and promote our culture and tradition in the context of the 21st century threats and perceptions and to promote Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Sidharth Nath Singh, S.S. Ahluwalia (Darjeeling MP), Sudhir Gupta (BJP MP from Madhya Pradesh) and Ashok Chaurasia (the international convenor of the Nepali Sanskriti Parisad) will also attend the event. We are expecting some Union ministers to be present at the programme but since their visit has not been finalised, we cannot comment further,” said Tamang.

He said members of the NSP had called on GTA chief executive Bimal Gurung during his visit to Delhi last month.

“Bimal Gurung has shown keen interest in preserving and promoting our culture and that is why the symposium is being held in Darjeeling,” said Tamang.

This is the first time that the GTA is conducting an event in which a central executive member of the RSS will participate.

Source: Telegraph

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Gorkha Sanskritik Utsav to be Held from January 7, 2015

10:48 AM

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Siliguri

People of North Bengal and Siliguri in particular are going to enjoy a 'cultural' beginning of 2015, since the Gorkha Saajha Pariwar, Salbari, Siliguri will bring back the Gorkha Sanskritik Utsav from January 7, 2015.

Gorkha Sanskritik Utsav to be Held from January 7, 2015

The 2015 version of the festival will also include the show Chinari-2, which will be its second edition. This time the theme of Chinari will be 'Hami Ek Haun' and it will showcase Gorkha dress and ornaments, jewellery, instruments, handicraft and handloom along with various cultural programmes, food court, fashion show which will reflect the rich cultural heritage of the Gorkhas.

Renowned artist from Darjeeling, Dooars and parts of Nepal, Sikkim and Mumbai, along with local models will walk down the runway with costumes designed by local fashion designers.

Gorkha Sanskritik Utsav will entertain people of North Bengal and also guests, who throng in large numbers from Sikkim and Bhutan from January 7 to 11.

Regional artists like singers Kunti Moktan, Deep Shrestha Ambar Gurung, Prakriti Giri and dancers like Anuska Chhetri and Sagarika Chhetri (Miss India 2013) will be felicitated during the festival.

Gorkha Saajha Pariwar is putting its best effort to ensure success of the programme. The organisers have requested community members from Darjeeling, Dooars, Sikkim and Assam to make donations to make the five-day extravaganza a grand success.

Source: EOI

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Nepali Academy and Cultural Research Centre to be set up in Darjeeling

8:57 AM

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nepali

Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) chief executive Bimal Gurung will lay the foundation stone for a Nepali Academy and Cultural Research Centre on November 21, which is to be established in Darjeeling sub-division.

Binay Tamang

The academy will come up near Dali, 4km from Darjeeling town, at an estimated cost of Rs23 crore. Work on the project is slated to be completed in two years’ time.
“The Nepali Academy will be set up as per the GTA agreement. The Centre has allocated the required funds. It will take two years to complete the infrastructure,” informed GTA sabhasad Binay Tamang, the in-charge of the council’s information and cultural affairs department.
Tamang said, “Our focus is to preserve the rich culture and history of the Nepali language and also promote it not only in the country but across the world. We believe this initiative will also help the youths to learn about their place of birth and its importance.”
“There are several projects lined up to develop the hills and the Nepali Academy and Cultural Research Centre is one of them. We want to make the hills a better place for the benefit of the people and will continue to work for their welfare,” said Tamang.

Source: EOI

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Deusi and Bhailo competition organized by Darjeeling Press Guild

11:51 AM

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GTA

The Darjeeling Press Guild (DPG) in association with the information and cultural department of the Gorkhaland Territorias Administration (GTA) on Thursday organized the first ever “Deusi” and “Bhailoni” competition in Darjeeling.

Deusi and Bhailo - file photo

The competition is aimed at preserving and exhibiting the rich culture and tradition of the Hills which is on the wane and also to promote it for the next generation to follow.

Deusi and Bhailoni is a tradition of singing hymns in praise of Lord Rama during the Diwali (Tihar) festival who defeated the “Asura”- Baliraja and returned to his kingdom. Deusi is played by the malemembers while Bhailoni by the female gender going house to house, narrating Lord Rama’s exploit and Baliraja’s death in the form of song.

The organizers to encourage people to participate also fixed cash prize to winners. “The cash prize is secondary and a form of showing gratitude to the participants. We did not expect such a response from the participants and the people. We are doing our bit to contribute inpreserving and promoting our culture and tradition,” said Pranab Chhetri, the DPG general secretary.

Source: Eoi

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Phulpati / Fulpati in Dashain festival

4:40 PM

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tradition

What is Phulpati?
Phulpati or Fulpati is celebrated on Saptami which is the seventh day of Vijaya Dasami the Gorkhas festival. Phool is Flower and Pati is leaves and plants.  FulPati literally means flowers, leaves and plants.

Phulpati /Fulpati

What do we do on Phulpati?
Navapatrika is decorated outside the house and carried inside the Dashain Ghar. It is carried inside the pooja ghar at seventh day at any time of the day depending upon the family tradition. After this, navapatrika Puja is carried out. The fulpati is kept in Dashain Ghar and worshiped along with the Jamara planted in Ghatasthapana day. Navapatrika is taken out of pooja ghar in the 10th day and Bisarjan in Holy River. There is a tradition where people bisarjan it on the 15th day with bisarjan with Jamara.

Nine ingredients of fulpati (navapatriva), The nine ingredients mix of fulpati is called navapatriva. Navapatriva consists of kera ko bot , darim, dhanko bala, haledo, manabriksha, kachuki, belpatra, ashok, and jayanti.

Banana plant (kera ko bot) represents Goddess Brahmani (ब्राम्हणी), who bestows peace.

Pomegranate (darim) represents Goddess Rakta Dantika (रक्त दंतिका ) who helps and blesses the worshipper.

In rice stalk (dhanko bala) lives Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.

Goddess Durga grace the turmeric plant (haledo) and put end to obstacles.

Goddess Chamunda resides in manabriksha, who puts end to the evil.

Ginger plant (अदुवा) represents Goddess Kalika (कालिका) who blesses mankind.

In Wood Apple Tree (bel plant) lives lord Shiva, and is the favorite fruit of Lords Vishnu and Shiva.

In the Ashok plant resides Goddess Sokarahita.

Jayanti represents Goddess Kartiki.


Why to bring fulpati to your home (What is significance of Navapatrika)
Bringing Phulpati brings all the nine goddess to your home. All nine plants represent goddess and all goddess represents Health, Wealth and prosperity.  Entering Phulpati home is entering health, wealth and prosperity home.

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Gorkha Cultural and Tourism Festival 2014 to be held in Mirik

9:53 AM

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mirik

An important meeting related to the Gorkha Cultural and Tourism Festival 2014, scheduled to be held in Mirik from October 11-20, was today conducted at the community hall here. The meeting was presided over by Sabhasad Phurbi Rai in the presence of Information and Culture Department Sabhasad Binay Tamang along with other GTA officials.

GTA Sabhasad Binay Tamang speaking during the
meeting in Mirik on Monday.

The meeting today decided to form an organising committee, which will collate the report related to various aspects of the event and its success. The Gorkha Cultural and Tourism Festival 2014 will be celebrated officially under the guidance of the GTA. Tamang warned that people using political banners in the fest and collecting money unofficially for the event will be dealt seriously. “We need cooperation from all sectors of the society to make the event a grand success,” he added.






Source: EOI

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Gorkhas celebrated Teez across India

11:34 AM

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Kalimpong

The festival of Teez, celebrated by married Gorkha Hindu women seeking longevity and prosperity of their husbands, was today celebrated across the hills with great enthusiasm. Hanuman Mandir in Bong Busty and Thakur Bari Mandir, both in Kalimpong, witnessed a frenzy of activity since early in the morning. Women clad in bright red saris offered prayers and celebrated the occasion with dances and songs.

Married women celebrating the festival of 'Teej'
in Kalimpong on Thursday.

On this day, married Gorkha Hindu women fast for the entire day and pray for the long life and prosperity of their husbands, while unmarried women pray for an ideal partner. Women residents of town said Teez is one of the biggest Hindu festivals for women and they have been celebrating it from time immemorial.

Similar activities were seen in Mirik as well, where women flocked Devi Mandir and Shree Krishna Mandir in town to offer prayers. Here too, women clad in red attire were seen dancing and singing after offering their prayers. The day was also marked by a special bhajan session rendered by the Sangeeni Pariwar from Sikkim.
Similarly gorkhas in the north east celebrated Teez with gaiety


Source: EOI

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Assam Gorkha Development Council to keep alive traditional cultural song and dance

10:38 AM

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Gorkhas of Assam

SILCHAR Assam, July 24: The Gorkhas living in different parts of Barak Valley have always been conscious of their traditional way of living, thinking and behaving. Their socio–cultural and literary bodies with their limited means and resources are committed to keep alive the hoary past. Shobraj Gurung, secretary, Gorkha Development Council, Barak Valley, said despite globalization and impact of western culture on society as a whole ‘we strive our best to maintain the glory and pride of Gorkha culture.’

Deusi-Dance Gorkha traditional cultural dance.

As a part of this move, Gorkha Development Council of the Valley has organized a 10 day workshop on traditional song and dance from July 23 to conclude on August 1. It will focus on training 150 young boys and girls under the guidance of five teachers in the disciplines drawn from different parts of the country. Shobraj Gurung added to say the workshop would provide not only relevant information on the intricacies of music and dance, but also train them up in the arts for their own benefits as well as for the Gorkhas around the country.

The five teachers for this workshop and their valuable instructions on the traditional form of music and dance as well as musical instruments are experts in their own way. Elaborating, Pradeep Rai, president of Gorkha Development Council, said Bhuban Mainali and Shanto Shreepalli are teachers of traditional dance, Hukum Magar, a traditional music teacher, while Indra Puri and Ghanashyam Newpani are musical instrument teachers.

The workshop is going on in the premises of Gorkha Shib Mandir Complex, Ramkrishna Mission Road of this town, which has evoked keen interest among the trainees. Their enthusiasm can well be understood from their participation regularly. “It is a new and novel experience for me,” said Madhuri Rai who is undergoing training on traditional dance. The dance forms include tanmangselo, maruni, khukuri, dewra and sangani. The instruments taken up for imparting training include narasingha, shanai, dama, temco, chyabrung and jhamta. These traditional instruments add rhythm and music to the songs and dances and make them more sonorous and sweet.

Abhishek Sunar who is receiving training in instrumental music said, “I am simply thrilled and overjoyed to know all about the instruments that accompany our traditional song and dance and at the same time get the expertise needed to perform.” Chabilal Sharma, member of Gorkha Development Council said on the concluding day of the workshop–cum–training an open stage performance of the participants would be held to assess and evaluate all that they have learnt in their own disciplines to become the torch bearers of traditional culture and music. The 10–day workshop was kicked off with a brief function presided over by Pradeep Rai with Chabilal Sharma gracing the occasion as a chief–guest and other members of the Gorkha Development Council lending their help and cooperation for the first ever novel venture.

Source: sentinelassam

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Kul Puja of Khambu Rai Kirats

11:07 AM

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Kirat Khambu Rai

The Rai Kirats have till today, remained true and faithful to the advice of their forefathers who had told them to continue and lead to prosperity, their custom of Kul-Puja. They firmly believe that at the time of creation of Khamuhang Rais, the creator Ninapa (Brahma), the foster father Bishnu, and the destroyer Paruhang, had advised them to do so. They still consider the place as sacred mother, where they were first created, and in its honour, Rais dig a small hole in a corner of their house and place three stones in a triangular shape which they call as Hengkha Malung, meaning earth mother. In between these three stones other stones are placed and a fire is made in the middle. The fire thus made is considered to be the mother of fire which is duely, worshiped by all Rais. The three stones which they place in a triangular shape represent Dewallung, meaning the stone placed in the name of God, Sawalung, the stone placed in the name of male gender and Chekkulung, meaning the stone placed in the name of female gender. But as a whole this sacred place is known as Sharnkhalung and it is here that the Kul puja is performed.

Kul Puja of Khambu Rai Kirats

No other than Rais are permitted to enter into the room where Shamkhaling is installed. One who indulges in unholy and offensive activities in this place of Kul Puja, is sure to get Dewa or the curse, for the redemption of which he should employ the services of a beejuwaha to beg for forgiveness for his mistakes. These beejuwahas (witch doctors) are also the right persons through whom the ancestors and other deities are worshipped and paid homage to. They enchant a typical mantra known as Mundum in performing all religious rites and rituals. A new bride is not taken inside the house without making a kukut sacrifice at the threshold of the house. Thereafter she is taken straight to Sharnkhalung where she is accepted as a new member of the family invoking Chhekulung for approval and blessing the bride. This custom is known as Langthim Bhuma. Similarly, when their daughters get married, they bless the couple, pronouncing the names of the spouse while beating a bronze bowl with a stick again in the Shakhalung, to uprise the kul of the marriage of their daughter and to bless her for her new life. This is also to handover the entire responsibility of their daughter to their son-in-law. It is called Chan-Chin and is carried out through mundum which they call Bulukchung Sangma.

The three stones placed in Sharnkhalung are also considered to be the symbol of Brahma, Bishnu and Rudra and are believed to be the representation of three spheres, Lung-heaven, Taralung-earth and Hawalung the hell.

The Rais who believe in rebirth, consider themselves to be the descendant or Paruhang of the king of Himalayas-Shiva and of Shumnima the mother of parvat-Parvati.

There are abound ant references, in support of this claim of Rais, in Puranas, Mahabharat and other Sanskrit literatures where Lord Shiva has been referred to as Kiratayshwar Mahadeo.

According to their custom the purohit called beejuwa, solomnise both the arranged and eloped marriages. In consummating these marriages the beejuwa worship Kul and make fire in the Shamkhalung to bear witness of the ceremony enchanting mundum. Enchantment of mundum is so important that even in the event of death mundum is used in transporting the departed soul either to Suptulung-heaven or to Hawalung, the hell.
This sin fearing tribe uses Ganga Jal or the pure water of the Himalayas, stones brought from the mountain and two types of vegetations in matters of repentance for their sins.

Among other custom of Rais, Boilungma is of prime importance. Boilungma in Nepali is known as Ghar Paicho. On the day when a Rai shifts to a newly built house he takes locally prepared liquor called washim in a container made from dried gourd, which they call chindo and sprinkle the same all over the house with a small portion of banana leaf and declare that there remains no wood or stone in the house they may cause trouble and inconvenience to the family members.

They perform Kul Puja twice. annually, called Mang Bhuma and Pachowa. During Pachowa puja newly harvested crops are offered to the deity and during Mang Bhuma puja roosters, hollow dried gourd, locally prepared liquor, a piece of ginger, banana leaf and axcheta are offered. The other items needed during Pachowa are new stalks of corns, axe, hoe, sickle, dried gourd, roosters, a piece of ginger, axcheta, cooked food and meat, etc.

During Mang Bhuma puja a pinch full of ginger and a few grains of axcheta are placed on the head of the cock, few drops of washim, are sprinkled on its head thrice enchanting mundum and the rest of the ginger is offered to the deity but in Pachowa, ginger is pinched apart and sprinkled on the ovan with three stones that denote the trinity Brahma, Bishnu and Rudra and over the earthen pot which they call as Ghampa kept near by.

Machha Kuma, the old woman who symbolizes strength is also worshipped and revered by Rais since ancient times. Similarly, the naming ceremony of a newly born chile called Nauran and Bhatkhoy, the weaning ceremony, are also conducted by Beejuwas by making use of dhol-dhangro (drums), bow and arrows and other ritualistic items.

Different communities have different set of customs and traditions which are not recognised by other communities. Therefore, it would not be absurd to say that these customs and traditions are caste and community based.

Source: sikkim-culture.gov.in

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Nepali Topi finds heads of anti-Gorkhaland leaders

9:53 PM

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nepali

Beyond all hustle-bustle in the Darjeeling constituency that is set to go on polls this April 17, it is the customary Nepali Topi that is being flanked by top non-Gorkha leaders whenever they are visiting the constituency for election campaign. 

The latest in the dias was famous actor Mithun Chakraborty, Star India Footballer and TMC candidate Bhaichung Bhutia and Mukul Roy, the TMC all India Secretary who flanked the Nepali topi to woe voters of the hills and seek support. 

Mithun with Bhaichung at TMC's rally in Darjeeling

With Gorkhas living in the Himalayan belt looking for a way out to separate from Bengal, the use of Nepali Topi this poll season has become a crowd pulling attire for leaders the result of which can be seen only when the counting begins. 

The Left front chairman in the district and once the Municipal affairs minister Ashoke Bhattacharya during his hey days also flanked the Nepali Topi whenever he attended a programme in the hills earlier. Following the footsteps it was Jaswant Singh, the BJP parliamentarian who also flanked the same when he campaigned in 2009 for polls. Following the footsteps, the TMC heavyweight and North Bengal Development minister Gautam Deb has also been flanking the Topi ever since he started to visit the hills straight after the TMC came to power in Bengal.

The use of the Topi from all these leaders comes in at a time when Gorkhas, who most wear the same along with their traditional attire Dawra Suruwal, living in India are remarked as people having their roots in Nepal. These Gorkhas have been simultaneously tagged as ‘Foreigners’ and hence fighting for their identity. Interestingly, the leaders donning the topi this election to woe hill voters have been against the division on Bengal.  

Subash Ghisingh, the GNLF chief ever since his political debut has attired the topi wherever he goes and now his onetime close aide who ousted him from power in the hills, Bimal Gurung similarly flanks the Nepali Topi most of the time. 

Vivek Ghatani - Indian Gorkhs

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