Darjeeling Folk Dance & Song

Ganga Sharma

Call: +91-9735602087

Ganga Sharma is 33 years old Sangini Dance artist. She is performing Sangini dance for last 5 years. She specializes in songs which she has learnt from her guru Smt. Tulsi Sharma. She speaks Hindi and Nepali language. In Sangini, a child bride narrates her story of woes to her friends (Sanginis) upon reaching her native village. Sangini dance reflects upon the struggles and hardships faced by child brides at their in-laws’ place. The songs have a narrative structure. Ganga mostly performs in local programmes. She performs in her group known as 'Lower Naya Busty Sangini Toli'.

Ranjana Sharma

Call: +91-9734163739

Ranjana Sharma is 39 years old Sangini Artist and she is practising the form for last 15 years. She has learnt Sangini Dance from her mother-in-law Smt. Dhan Maya. She is educated up to higher secondary level and can speak Hindi and Nepali fluently. She performs mostly in and around Darjeeling.

Hemant Thapa Mangar

Call: +91-8016474965

Hemant Thapa is 41 years old Mangar artist and is associated with the folk art form for the last 10 years. He is a flutist and composes music for the show. He has performed in Delhi and Kolkata. He has performed abroad in Nepal and in Bhutan.

Norbu Tshering Lepcha

Call: +91-8389926694

Norbu Tshering Lepcha is a famous Lepcha dancer in Darjeeling. He has learnt it from his father Sonam Tsering Lepcha, a noted Lepcha dancer and a Padmashree Awardee. Norbu is also a choreographer and teaches dance to the young generation of dancers in the community. He has performed in Kolkata, Bomdilla and Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Guwahati, Shillong, Ranchi, Odisha, Kulu in Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat and Bihar. He has won the state award in 2014.

Mukti Nath Sharma

Call: +91-9832685191

Mukti Nath Sharma is 52 years old and practising Balun Dance for last 35 years. He is educated up to Higher Secondary level. He has learnt Balun Dance from his guru Late Bhaban Shankar Sharma. He can speak Nepali, English, Hindi and Bengali. Balun is performed during religious occasions, usually in the evening. There are 12 dancers and a priest, called Purohit. The dance begins after seeking the blessings of the priest and performing a set of rituals. Muktinath Sharma is a very talented artist and specializes in Dance, Drama and Poetry. He performs mostly in local programmes. He has also performed in Sikkim, Darjeeling and Nepal. Mukti Nath Sharma is also the president of Pratibha Prerna Pariwar, a society to promote and preserve the cultural heritage of his community.

Manisha Mallick

Call: 7478879637

Manisha Mallick is a traditional dancer of the community. She has started dancing at the age of 10 yrs. Her guru is Garjan Mallick. Her elder brother is also a traditional dancer and her mother Laxmita Mallick is a traditional singer. She has performed many times at Kolkata, Darjeeling, Guwahati, Kalimpong, Kurseong, Siliguri tv centre DD-1, North Bengal University, Rabindra Bharati University, Alipurduar, EZCC program at Coochbehar, Kala Bhaban at Purnia(Bihar) and Rajya Bhawaiya Utsav. She has received recognition from North Bengal University, DICO, Darjeeling folk festival and Local language & cultural study centre NBU.

Mani Chandra Rai

Call: 9635591489

M.C. Rai is a Sakewa silli dance expert, trainer and writer from Rimbik Darjeeling. He has started practicing and studying this art form since 1980s from his father in law late Purna Sing Rai and brother is law Saharman Rai from Bijanbari of Darjeeling. He has performed with his team in many places like Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Mirik, Bagdogra, CM’s program at jorthang Sikkim, Namchi and Ranka of Sikkim, Kathmandu etc. He is a prominent writer for the community and he has written many books like Sum Hung Chhamari (Rai and Nepali script), Kiranti Lok Katha ani anya lekh haru (Kiranti folk tale and essays) by J.B. Rai and him. He has received recognition from 2nd International Kranti sammelan for language & culture, Acoustic story telling centre, Akhil Kiranti Rai Sangha etc. He has trained many artist in many places like Mirik(1997), Kalimpong, Kurseong, Darjeeling, Nepal, local area etc.

Manghangma Limbu

Call: 7872416430

Manghangma Limbu is a traditional dancer, singer and instructor of her community, resides at Gairi gaon village of Bijanbari Darjeeling. At the age of 15yrs old she learnt this art form from her sister Sukmaya Limbu. She has performed at Kalimpong, Dungra busty, Darjeeling, Dooars, west Sikkim, Saureni at Mirik etc. She has received recognition from Sapshok Saploan Chumphok Sikkim, Kalimpong folk fest etc. As a trainer she has trained many artist at Kalimpong and her local area.

Bhaktahang Limbu

Call: 9732315790

Bhaktahang Limbu is a Chabrung dancer and trainer from Sumbuk busty of Bijanbari Darjeeling. He has started practicing the Chabrung dance at the age of 18 yrs old from his father late Buddhiman Limbu. He has performed at Kalimpong, Darjeeling, Kurseong, Mirik, Nepal etc. He has trained many artist of Bijanbari, Lama gaon at Rimbik, Kalimpong and his local area also. Received recognition from Kalimpong folk fest.