Gangtok,
November 10:
Over eleven Lepcha fashion designers entertained a wide audience at Manan
Kendra this evening, on the occasion of the “Himalayan Ethnic Lepcha Fashion
event” (HELFE) Grand Finale. Over fifty models, children, men and women, caught
the attention, wearing colourful new designs of Lepcha attire. “The aim is to
give a platform for upcoming talents, to show that the Lepcha Community is not
vanishing and to promote easier Lepcha attires to wear, for day to day life”,
explained Phurbu D. Rongmit, coordinator of the fashion exhibition. The idea
came while discussing a Facebook topic, “Our attire”, which became a project.
In September, over eleven designers
were shortlisted out of thirty-four, at Kalimpong. In the opening speech,
Tshering Wangchuk Lepcha, convener, evoked “cultural awareness”. He was followed
by Lyangsong Tamsang, President of ILTA (Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association), Kalimpong, who congratulated the Lepcha Youth for “having
come forward to promote their tradition, culture and customs”.
The HELFE was organised by Sikkim
Lepcha Youth Association (SLYA), and Lepcha Youth Association (LYA), with
Sikkim Express as media partner. S.D Lepcha, Sikkim Lepcha Association (SLA)
President, added that “changing is necessary, in order not to vanish”, speaking
of “evolution in process”. Bhaichung Bhutia, former Indian football Captain and
Brand Ambassador of the event, addressed the families, saying “friends have
more influence on children than their parents”, supplementing that “a chance of
changing should be given to the troubled youth”, as they fall into drugs, alcohol
and even suicide.
The footballer then declared that
“the future of India and of Sikkim is its Youth, culture, tradition and
greenery”. K.T Gyaltsen, Parliament House Speaker, and Chief Patron of the
event, spoke about the “protection of tradition”. He pointed out “one of its
factors is fashion”. He concluded his speech by signalling the necessity of
“educating children and village inhabitants to the importance of their
culture”. The fashion show also comprised of a documentary, of dancing and
singing intermissions, such as “Mingma Lepcha and Band”.
All designers, models and Lepcha
community workers were awarded with a certificate. Ongden Tshering Lepcha, SLYA
President, was also present.
