Three-day Bhutia folk literature workshop concludes at Makhim with call for preservation efforts
Welcoming the participants, program coordinator Dr. Chukey Bhutia highlighted the importance of the initiative and explained the broader aim of compiling Bhutia folk literature in a systematic and accessible manner.
LOCAL
A three-day workshop on Bhutia Folk Literature Compilation concluded successfully on Wednesday at Bhutia House, Makhim. The workshop, held from September 2 to 4, 2025, was jointly organized by the Central Institute of Hindi, Agra, and Bhutia experts from Sikkim. It brought together scholars, teachers, and cultural custodians who deliberated on ways to preserve and promote Bhutia folk knowledge traditions.
The workshop was attended by prominent Bhutia scholars and experts, including Dr. Namdol Bhutia, Professor at Tadong College; Dr. Chuki Lepcha, Hindi Coordinator from the Language Branch, Government of Sikkim; Dr. Sonam Ongmu Bhutia, PGT; Shri Bhaichung Bhutia, ATBO; Smt. Shobha Sharma, DEO; Shri Karma Lobzang Bhutia, teacher at West Point Senior Secondary School; and Dr. Chuki Bhutia from Sikkim University.
Welcoming the participants, program coordinator Dr. Chukey Bhutia highlighted the importance of the initiative and explained the broader aim of compiling Bhutia folk literature in a systematic and accessible manner. He emphasized that the rich oral traditions, stories, and cultural expressions of the Bhutia community form an invaluable part of Sikkim’s heritage and must be documented for future generations.
On the first day, discussions focused on identifying themes, subject matter, and materials within Bhutia folk literature. Participants engaged in in-depth deliberations on how to present folklore, oral traditions, and indigenous knowledge in written and translated formats. The following two days were devoted to preparing subject outlines, translating materials, and working collaboratively on various aspects of the compilation project.
At the valedictory session, Dr. Namdol Bhutia, who served as the Bhutia editor for the project, expressed gratitude to the participants for their commitment. He urged them to complete their assigned tasks on time, underscoring the need for collective effort in bringing the compilation project to fruition at the earliest.