Singhi Chham

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Singhi Chham or Kanchendzonga Dance is a lion dance form in Sikkim whereby the dancers perform in a lion costume that represents the snow lion. It is a dance of the Bhutia people, and was said to have been introduced by Chador Namgyal, the third Chogyal of Sikkim, in the 18th century. [1] It is usually performed during the Panglapsool festival.[ citation needed ]

In this dance, there may be two to four snow lions, each snow lion consists of two men in a lion costume, which is white with a bluish mane. The dance is accompanied by a single drummer. [2] It has religious association as the peaks of Kangchenjunga (Khang-Chen Dzong Pa), which is sacred to the people of Sikkim, are believed to resemble the legendary snow lion.[ citation needed ]

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References

  1. "Singhi Chham Dance". India9. 29 January 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  2. Shobhna Gupta (2007). Dances of India. Har-Anand. p. 76. ISBN   978-8124108666.