Handmade in India

Physical Features
Mountains:
Singilela, Chola
Major rivers:
Rangit, Teesta
Biodiversity
Flora:
Silver Fir, Pine,
Argeli, Oak, Orchids,
Cotton
Fauna:
Yak, Musk deer,
Otter, Goral
Mahakala, the
guardian deity during
the Chaam
performances; part of
the Phang Lhabsol
festivities in honour of
Mt. Kanchenjunga.
Districts - 4
Craftspersons - 0.10 Lakhs
Crats -SIKKIM
Choktse - tables
Ku - Buddhist
figurines
Cotton weaving
Sub Clusters of
SIKKIM
East district:
Gangtok
Rumtek
North district:
Mangan
West district:
Gezing
South district:
Namchi
KAN-CHEN-JUNGA, `house of five
treasures`, represented by its five soaring
summits, is the guardian deity of Sikkim.
The capital, Gangtok, is the commercial
centre of the state. Sikkim is composed
of several ethnic groups - the Bhutia,
Lepcha, Nepali, tribes and the plainspeople.
Sikkim has a rich landscape, snow capped mountains, forests,
fertile valleys, raging torrents and placid lakes. It is a
naturalist`s and orinthologist`s paradise. Sikkim`s settlements
are found along the banks of Teesta River. The impact of
Buddhism, Tibetan culture and the ethnic milieu of the state
along with its festivals have greatly influenced handicrafts.
The Lepcha people have empathy for the environment, which
is reflected in their folk-songs and dances. They are expert
weavers and creative with cane and bamboo. The Tibetan
Bhutias drew the Lepchas into the Buddhist faith,
Inset : The yak, and important animal of Sikkim
Gyal tsen, prayer flags, carried as part of the Saga Dawa
procession.
established matrimonial relations with them and paved way for
the cultural and social assimilation of the two communities. The
Lepchas practice spinning, dyeing and weaving. The Nepalese,
mostly Hindus, practice agriculture, trading and work as
silversmiths. The mighty Kanchenjunga plays an important rols in
Sikkimese life and is worshipped as a deity. Masks are significant
of the people`s religious beliefs. Made of carved wood and
papier-mache, they are worn during dances performed by the
monks. The Government institute of Cottage Industries promotes
skills in painting, wood carving, mask making and weaving.
Sikkim`s high quality rice paper is made from the bark of argeli
(Edgeworthia gardenia). Buddhist iconography is the major
inspiration for the craft forms, vocabulary of motifs, colours,
textures and the lush silk brocades, which are procured from
outside the state.
ACCESS
Gangtok can be reached by road from Siliguri in West Bengal.
Siliguri is well connected by rail and road to other parts of
Assam, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. It has air connections to
Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and other cities.
RESOURCES
Craft Raw Materials Sources
Choktse - tables Kath or tsingh tree wood Local forests
Ku figurines Copper Old vessels
Cotton weaving Cotton Local agriculture
Carving the details on
the wooden mask.
Making of a three dimensional model
in mud before carving the wood for a
choktse or table.