Sikkim Kalakar Bharosa Sammelan 2.0 Concludes with Grand Celebrations

Sikkim Kalakar Bharosa Sammelan 2.0 concluded successfully at Town Hall, Namchi, celebrating the artistic and cultural heritage of Sikkim. The event was graced by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang as the chief guest, along with former MLA Krishna Kumari Rai as the guest of honour.

In his speech, the chief minister expressed his appreciation for Sikkim’s artists and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting them. He emphasized that artists play a crucial role in promoting Sikkim at national and international levels and called them the state’s cultural ambassadors. He also announced that Sikkim Kalakar Bharosa Sammelan would now be an annual event dedicated to encouraging and uplifting artists across various disciplines.

The chief minister announced the launch of the Sikkim Art, Culture & Heritage Development Board, which will work exclusively for the welfare of artists. Additionally, he spoke about the existing welfare boards catering to students, sports, labor, farmers, and retired employees.

A significant highlight was the Chief Minister’s Discretionary Grant, under which 11 music institutes, 33 dance academies, three filmmakers, and one painter received financial support. The grant aims to help institutions nurture new talent and assist filmmakers in their projects.

In a unique initiative, the chief minister announced the Srawan Kumar Puraskar, which will honor one child from each gram panchayat unit who excels in caring for their parents, irrespective of gender. He also confirmed that from this year’s Independence Day and next year’s Republic Day, artists will be honored with state awards for their contributions.

The chief minister provided updates on key healthcare initiatives, including the Suswasta Bhawan in Siliguri, a facility for Sikkimese residents seeking medical treatment. While construction is ongoing, a temporary 22-room guest house, ‘Aama Ko Goodh,’ is currently serving this purpose.

Additionally, he announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a 500-bed hospital in Sikkim on May 21, 2025. In another major announcement, the chief minister promised gazetted appointments for prominent artists, recognizing their contributions to the state.

The event witnessed a grand felicitation ceremony, where the SKBS organizing committee honored several distinguished artists through the chief minister. Notable awardees included:

• Padmashree awardee Naren Gurung, a prominent figure in Sikkim’s folk music scene
• Renowned filmmakers Ugen Chopel Bhutia and Prashant Rasaily
• Ustad Bismillah Khan awardees: Dr. Manoj Rai for creative and experimental music, Mingma D Lepcha for dance, and Bikram Lepcha
• 13 community artists from various ethnic backgrounds in Sikkim

In addition, over 100 artists who have represented Sikkim at national and international competitions were honored. Several dignitaries, including the speaker and deputy speaker of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, ministers, and MLAs, participated in the felicitation.

The event also featured the launch of key artistic projects, including the official music video of Sikkim Kalakar Bharosa Sammelan, a video message from renowned filmmaker Anurag Basu, and Surtaal, a musical collaboration featuring 52 prominent singers from Sikkim under Gandhar Music Academy. The SKBS magazine 2024 and Anmol Jeevan, a poster on health and life by national award-winning artist Shaphal Pradhan, were also released.

The audience was treated to a variety of performances, including acts by Wilson Bikram Rai as Takme Buda and Umesh Rai as Phulande ki Aama. Nrityaashis – Ashish Patil and his Mumbai-based troupe, known for their Indian classical dance expertise, were also honored by the chief minister.

Additionally, the event paid tribute to legendary artists of Sikkim, including Padmashree awardee Lt. L.T. Kazi, Lt. Rahul Rai, Lt. Shanta Nepali, Lt. Deo Rup Rai, and Lt. Dhurba Lohagan, recognizing their lasting contributions to the state’s cultural heritage.

Sikkim Kalakar Bharosa Sammelan 2.0, organized by VOICE NGO Namchi in collaboration with SKM Cultural Wing, was a remarkable celebration of the state’s artists. The event reinforced the government’s commitment to fostering the arts while honoring past and present contributors to Sikkim’s cultural legacy. With new initiatives and state awards in place, Sikkim’s artistic fraternity is poised for greater recognition and growth in the years ahead.