This document provides information about Gagandeep Singh Jass, a student in Class X-B with Roll No. 8 and Admin No. 4068. It then discusses an art integration project about the introduction of Sikkim, the handicrafts of Sikkim including carpet weaving, wood carving, Thangka paintings and Choktse tables. It also summarizes the major festivals celebrated in Sikkim such as Saga Dawa, Drupka Teshi, Phang Lhabsol and Bumchu. Finally, it provides an overview of the traditional Sikkimese cuisine which is influenced by Tibetan, Nepali and Lepcha dishes.

1. NAME – GAGANDEEP SINGH JASS
CLASS – X-B
ROLL NO – 8
ADMIN NO -4068

2. ART INTEGRATION PROJECT
• Introduction to sikkim
Sikkim is a state in northeastern India. It borders the Tibet
Autonomous Region of China in the north and
northeast, Bhutan in the east, Nepal in the west, and West
Bengal in the south. Sikkim is also close to India’s Siliguri
Corridor near Bangladesh. Sikkim is the least
populous and second smallest among the Indian states. A
part of the Eastern Himalaya, Sikkim is notable for
its biodiversity, including alpine and subtropical climates,
as well as being a host to Kangchenjunga, the highest
peak in India and third highest on
Earth.[7] Sikkim’s capital and largest city is Gangtok.
Almost 35% of the state is covered by
the Khangchendzonga National Park – a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. The Kingdom of Sikkim was founded by
the Namgyal dynasty in the 17th century. It was ruled
by Buddhist priest-kings known as the Chogyal. It became
a princely state of British India in 1890. Following Indian
independence, Sikkim continued its protectorate status
with the Union of India after 1947, and the Republic of
India after 1950. It enjoyed the highest literacy rate and

3. In 1975, after the Indian Army took over the city of Gangtok, a referendum was held that
led to the deposition of the monarchy and Sikkim joining India as its 22nd state. Modern
Sikkim is a multiethnic and multilingual Indian state. The official languages of the state
are English, Nepali, Sikkimese and Lepcha. Additional official languages
include Gurung, Limbu, Magar, Mukhia, Newari, Rai, Sherpa and Tamang for the purpose
of preservation of culture and tradition in the state. English is taught in schools and used
in government documents. The predominant religions are Hinduism and Vajrayana
Buddhism. Sikkim’s economy is largely dependent on agriculture and tourism. As of 2019,
the state had the fifth-smallest GDP among Indian states, although it is also among the
fastest-growing. Sikkim accounts for the largest share of cardamom production in India,
and is the world’s second largest producer of the spice after Guatemala. Sikkim achieved
its ambition to convert its agriculture to fully organic between 2003 and 2016, and
became the first state in India to achieve this distinction. It is also among India’s
most environmentally conscious states, having banned plastic water bottles ”in any
government functions and meetings” and polystyrene products (throughout the state).

4. • Handicrafts of sikkim
Sikkim is renowned for its dazzling and appealing beauty. The
charm of this state is ever enticing and no one can abstain from its
allure. In fact, Sikkim is resplendent with not only its natural
beauty but with its art and craft too. The cultural richness of
Sikkim is visible in its quality handicrafts. Being an isolated place
,Sikkim is not a very well developed and industrialized place , even
is very cold climate and snow capped mountains do not provide a
condition favorable for agriculture, so handicraft of the area is the
only source for the people here to earn a living.
The art and craft of Sikkim brings the community under single
roof, besides this the aura of inheritance could be seen in specific
work of communities, the Sikkimese design is more traditional and
through numerous institution private or government the
handicraft work is going very smooth and for traveler
understanding it represents the portion of Sikkim tourism.

5. 1)Carpet Weaving :-
Sikkim is best renowned for beautiful products like hand
woven woolen carpets with conventional Sikkimese motifs. The
Bhutias are deemed to be expert carpet weavers and it is weaved in a
frame loom. Sikimese traditional designs as well as Buddhist
Iconography and geometrical patterns are the main subject. Wools of
different colors are used to make it colorful.
2) Wood Carving :-
Wood carving is a symbolic art of Sikkimese people and it is performed
by skilled Bhutia artisans, the wood carving includes the process of
molding of timber and ores of timber which could be found in plenty.
The wood carving could be seen in monastery and construction work
beside that the mask you would see is made out of timber and carving
work is amazingly carried by local Bhutia people. For sole
exemplification we would suggest traveler to step in at Pemayangtse
Monastery, which could be considered as fine specimen of carved
wooden sculptures and wood carving. Altars, furniture’s, etc are other
superb outcome of wood carving.

6. 3) Thangka Paintings :-
Thangka Paintings are unique to the state of Sikkim. Initially,
these paintings were the only medium to preach the highest
ideals of Buddhism. ‘Thangkas’ are usually made on cotton
canvas with a frame of silk. These paintings portray images of
different Gods, Goddesses and philosophies related to
Buddhism. Originally, paintings were made by priests and
monks, later the skills got passed from generation to
generation. Today, commercialization of this art is helping
monasteries and practitioners to earn a living.
4) Choktse Tables :-
It is a cultural table associated with religious pyramids; in
Sikkim it is the most famous thing that you would find in house
of almost every Sikkimese. The tables are made in different
design and dimension and elements required in it could vary
some crafts it through teak and timber while expensive one is
made out of rose wood or sandal sometimes.

7. • Festivals of sikkim
The Sikkim festivals are celebrated with a lot of pomp and show and as per
the Buddhist calendar. Throughout all these festivals the citizens of Sikkim
indulge in vibrant and lively dances and music. Chaam, one of the most
fascinating type of ritual dance performed by the Lamas, which involves
brightly colored masks and fascinating musical instruments and takes place
at the different monasteries across Sikkim while these festivals are on.
Some of the most popular festivals, notable in Sikkim are Losoong, Drupka
Teshi, Bumchu, Saga Dawa, Dassin and Phang Lhabsol.
Saga Dawa : Saga Dawa is an amazing festival that is triple blessed. This is a
very sacred Buddhist festival, especially for the Mahayana Buddhists. On
this particular day the Buddhists visit the monasteries, offer the prayers
and butter lamps as they were the three significant events associated with
the existence of Buddha which are celebrated at this event. These
proceedings are the Lord Buddha’s birth, Enlightenment of Lord Buddha
and passing away of the Lord Buddha or his attaining Nirvana. The festival
takes place on the full moon day in the 4th month of the Buddhist Calender
at the end of May and the beginning of June. This festival takes place in
the beautiful city of Gangtok.

8. Drupka Teshi : Another great festival celebrated by the
Buddhists is the Drukpa Teshi festival. The festival takes
place on the day the Buddha sermonized his first oration
of four Noble Truths to the 5 disciples in Sarnath at the
famous deer park.
Phang Lhabsol : Phang Lhabsol is another matchless
festival of Sikkim which became famous during the reign
of the third ruler of Sikkim, Chakdor Namgyal. During this
festival the Mount Kanchendzonga is shown respect and
devotion for its uniting powers.
Bumchu : In January at the Tashiding monastery, the
Bumchu festival is renowned in the West Sikkim. All
Through this festival, the pot that is filled with the sacred
water is put open by the Lamas present in the monastery.
During the entire process, a small fraction of the holy
water is distributed among the disciples and the pot is
refilled with water and conserved, when the festival is
over and is opened at the time of the next Bumchu.
Losar : Tibetan New Year, Losar is is marked with
immense joviality, joy, extensive meals and merriment. It
usually falls in the February’s first.

9. • Cuisine of sikkim
The traditional food of Sikkim is called Sikkimese
cuisine. The cuisine is a blend of Tibetan, Nepali and
Lepcha dishes which comes from various ethnic tribes
and communities of Sikkim. Sikkimese food is largely
based on rice, culinary vegetables from jungle like
Ningro (Fern), Nakima (Wild Lily), Baas ko Tusa
(Bamboo-Shoot), Cheuw (Mushrooms), etc. Even
organic vegetables such as Iskus (Chayote/ Squash),
Pharsi (pumpkin), Pharsi ko Munta (Pumpkin leaves),
Iskus ko Munta (Chayote/ Squash leaves), Kinema
(Fermented Soyabean), Ruk Tamatar ( Tree Tomato)
and Dalle Chillies (Hot Fire Balls), etc are also
extensively used in day to day menu. Most of the
Sikkimese people are meat eaters. Varity of fresh and
processed meats of mutton,beef,pork chicken and fish
are feasted in almost every meal.

10. Locally fermented beverage such as Arra ( Homemade
Whiskey), and Chaang / Tongba (Fermented Millet) also
compliments the Sikkimese cuisine . Most of the raw
materials are readily available in the local vegetable
markets and meat shops at a decent price. Being an
organic State, people seek for organic raw materials. Local
beverages are mostly prepared in villages and can be
available on demand. The method of preparations of
Sikkim cuisine is generally stir fry, boiled or steamed. The
use of spices and herbs are very limited. A wide variety of
condiments and plants such turmeric powder, ginger,
Chewri (Aesandra butyraceae) barks of plants like Gobere
Salla (Abies wabbiana), Verla(Bauhinia Vahlii),
Chatiwan(Alstonia scholaris) etc. are also used for
medicative purpose. Sikkim offers many interesting and
mouth watering dishes but just to raise up your appetite,
recipes of few interesting and mouth watering dishes has
been endowed below.