FLUTE

FLUTE in Sikkim

Material: Bamboo

The Lepcha, Bhutia and Nepalese communities of Sikkim have retained their own dress codes, language and culture. Each community also has its own musical instruments. But all the communities have one common instrument – the Bansuri or flute. The flute is one of the oldest musical instruments of the state. Normally, a Sikkimese flute has seven holes on its body. The songs and music of each community are different in rhythm and tune, just as they stand apart from the folk rhythms and tunes heard in other regions of the country. Though the flute is an important musical accompaniment all over the country, the sweetness of the Sikkimese flute tugs at the heart strings of all music lovers. In Sikkim, many varieties of bamboo are grown, like Chongya, Dhali, Salu, Galu, Beth, Singane, Pareng, Gope, etc. Bansuris can be made from all these, but the flute made from Gope bamboo is considered the best and most sacred. People coming down from the mountains use bamboo sticks to negotiate the difficult mountain terrain. When they reach the foothills, they throw away these sticks. These are then picked by the villagers living in the foothill areas and made into flutes. Pentong Palit, a flute with four holes, is a very ancient musical instrument of the Lepcha community. The hopes, joys and aspirations of the Lepcha community are beautifully expressed through the music of this flute.