Wangchuk Bhutia
Dzongu, Dec 13
The Namprikdang Namsoong festival celebrating the new year of the Lepcha Tribe kicked off with grandeur at Upper Dzongu, North Sikkim today.
The four days long fest will showcasemagnificent visual treat of folk dances, traditional games and exotic Sikkimese (Lepcha) cuisine. The festival will be held till 16 December.
The State level festival is being organized by Social Justice, Empowerment and Welfare Department, North District Administration and Namsoong Celebration Committee Dzongu and funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
The inaugural function today was graced by Gangtok MLA, Pintso Chopel Lepcha in presence of Deputy Speaker cum area MLA Dzongu, Sonam Gyatso Lepcha, Chairman SNT, Pintso Namgyal Lepcha, DC North, Karma R Bonpo, Ton Tshering Lepcha, OSD, Sr SP North, KD Sangdarpa officials from various departments, panchayat members and the general public.
Prof Prakash Patnaik from Delhi University who was the special guest of the function highlighted about the importance of languages that share the bond among the different communities and further appreciated the festival being organised by the committee.
Earlier, the function was welcome by Chairman SNT, Pintso Namgyal Lepcha.A colorful traditional cultural program was presented by the different communities from Sikkim and other parts of the country.
The main venue for the celebrations of this festival at Namprikdang Ground is situated next to the confluence of Rivers Teesta and Rangeet with the beautiful traditional Lepcha house that commemorates the resting place of their ancestors. Traditional Lepcha dances, make shift restaurants and food stalls serving authentic Lepcha cuisine provide for a fascinating time to all the locals and travelers who completely immerse themselves in the festive spirits.
The chief guest in his speech wishes the people on the auspicious occasion and urged all to celebrate it with festive manner. He also highlighted that the Namsoong was a festival of all communities and urged the people to participate in the celebrations at Namprikdang.