Sikkim Kalakar Bharosa Sammelan 2025 concludes

NAMCHI,  (IPR): The second editionof the two-day Sikkim Kalakar Bharosa Sammelan concluded in a grand fashion, at Town Hall, Namchi today.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, also the chief patron of Sikkim Kalakar Bharosa Sammelan, graced the day's event as the chief guest, and was accompanied by the guest of honour Krishna KumariRai, former MLA.

In his speech, the Chief Minister affirmed that it was a matter of privilege to address the gathering of the artist's fraternity of the State and be among them. Declaring himself as a 'Chief Servant of the State' working for Sikkim's better future, the Chief Minister went on to mention that the State government has been and always will be a driving factor for the development of the State and will also provide necessary and needful support to the artist's fraternity.

Further in his speech, the Chief Minister urged the artists of the State to have a proactive approach to work and highlight the State's name to greater heights of recognition in national and international platforms. He further went on to state that each and every artist is an ambassador of the State, who should work to highlight Sikkim to greater prominence and work to make the State ever-front in the nation.

Talking about the Sikkim Kalakar Bharosa Sammelan, the Chief Minister stated that the event will be calendar event and is organised to encourage, support and uplift the morale of the artists inclusive of the ones who have made a name for themselves in prominent national and international platforms, along with it becoming a platform to felicitate various artists in different categories of art and culture.

The Chief Minister assured the fraternity of launching the Sikkim Art, Culture & Heritage Development Board that will solely work for the benefit of the fraternity. Along with it, he also mentioned about Sikkim Student's Welfare Board, Sikkim State's Sports Development Board, Sikkim Labour's Welfare Board, Sikkim Farmer's Welfare Board and Sikkim Retired Employee's Welfare Board, which have been established to work for the development and welfare of various sectors in the State. He also mentioned about Chief Minister's Employment Scheme that will work to support the entrepreneurs of the State in their ventures.

Talking about Chief Minister Discretionary Grant, which is disseminated to the general public as a help towards their various needs, he mentioned that 11 music institutes, 33 dance academies, 3 filmmakers and 1 painter from the State were provided with the grant today. The grant has been provided to them to help them operate their institutes and academies in hopes that in future they can produce prominent artists in the state and also help the filmmakers to produce their film projects.

Further, the Chief Minister also mentioned about offering one award in each Gram Panchayat Unit under Srawan Kumar Puraskar to the dedicated children who will excel in taking care of their parents, irrespective of gender. He also mentioned that in the upcoming Independence Day celebration this year and Republic Day celebration next year, the artists will also be conferred and honoured with State Awards.

Further, the Chief Minister mentioned about Suswasta Bhawan being constructed in Siliguri to help inhabit Sikkimese residents who travel there for their medical treatments. He also stated that for the time-being, a rented 22 roomed guest-house is being used under the title 'Aamako Godh' for the same purpose.

The Chief Minister mentioned of the 500-beded hospital to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi on 21st May, 2025. He also mentioned about providing gazetted appointment to the prominent artists of the State. Lastly, the Chief Minister presented his well wishes to the felicitated artist awardees and encouraged them to work proactively too in the future.

In the process of felicitations, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang and Krishna Kumari Rai, former MLA, were also felicitated by the SKBS organising committee.

The day also witnessed felicitation of Padmashree awardee Naren Gurung, a prominent figure of the State in folk cultural music sector with filmmakers Ugen Chopel Bhutia and Prashant Rasaily by the SKBS organising committee through the Chief Minister.

Ustad Bismillah Khan Awardees, Manoj Rai for creative and experimental music, Mingma D Lepcha for creative and experimental dance and Bikram Lepcha, along with 13 community awardees from different communities of Sikkim were also felicitated by the SKBS organising committee through the Chief Minister.

Approximately about 100+ artists who have been working in the State along with artists who have gone on to perform and appear in various national and international competitions and reality shows, belonging to different genre of performing arts and culture were also consecutively felicitated by the SKBS organising committee through the Chief Minister, Speaker SLA, Deputy Speaker SLA, Ministers and MLAs.

The official music video of Sikkim Kalakar Bharosa Sammelan and a video message by nation's prominent filmmaker Anurag Basu was also displayed during the day. Alongside the SKBS magazine 2024, song titled 'Surtaal' by Gandhar Music Academy where 52 prominent singers of the State collaborated and a poster titled 'Anmol Jeevan' showcasing life and health by Shaphal Pradhan who has worked over 40+ projects and is also a National awardee were released simultaneously.

The dance team from Mumbai, Nrityaashis - Ashish Patil and troupe along with the team's manager were also felicitated and honoured by the Chief Minister. The troupe has given numerous contributions in the Indian-Classical dance genre.

Earlier, the legacy of prominent artists of Sikkim, Padmashree Awardee Lt. LT Kazi, Lt. Rahul Rai, Lt. Shanta Nepali, Lt. Deo Rup Rai and Lt. Dhurba Lohagan were remembered and mourned by the attendees.

Earlier Sushma Chettri, president All Sikkim Dance Institutes' Association and cultural in-charge Voice NGO and SKBS organising committee addressed the gathering where she shared her past and present experiences as an artist of Sikkim and thanked the Chief Minister and the State government for their unwavering contributions and support to help uplift the environment for the artists of the State.

Sikkim Kalakar Bharosa Sammelan 2.0 was organised by Voice NGO Namchi with support of SKM Cultural Wing, an event dedicated towards the empowerment of the local artists of Sikkim and perseverance of the vibrant and dynamic cultural heritage of Sikkim.