.jpg)
AND HOW SIKKIM PLAYS INTO THIS
“There are two distinct languages. There is the verbal, which separates people, and there is the visual that is understood by everybody.”
Art and culture are a representation of the thoughts, beliefs, and views of an individual. They contribute to the formation of characters and behaviors and sustain self-identity, but most importantly, they provide a sense of belonging to the stranded or the vagrant. As quoted, Yaacov Agam stated that art and culture are media through which the world is brought together beyond the boundaries of time, geography, and backgrounds. The various forms of art highlight human creativity, while cultures exist from times immemorial and exist throughout disparate landscapes. Even though art encompasses independent works and cultures are different geographically, their wide-ranging impact on society very importantly includes social cohesion.
Through art and culture, we receive insight into various life events and subsequent interpretations. Traditions pave the way for us to cultivate empathy and social awareness, enhancing cohesiveness in the community. When one takes the initiative to explore hidden worlds, age-old customs, new works of craft and make sense of what they perceive, it stimulates sensation, cognition, and comprehension. Hence, social awareness is developed when people engage with the life of others with curiosity and open-mindedness. The barriers of unfamiliarity are broken down and society is united through art and culture.
The miscellany of ethnic groups, religions, and languages is seen all throughout Sikkim, the glorious land of manifold tribes and races. These communities have unique features along with their particular dance forms, festivals, languages, culture, and craft forms. Sikkim's rich historical and traditional culture plays a significant role in unifying people from all over India and the world. Persons exploring Sikkim never miss the opportunity to taste the renowned delicious momos- the assorted fillings like beef, chicken, and pork attract many tourists and bring fame to the cuisine of this state. Saga Dawa, a festival taking place in Gangtok, is one of the godliest festivals in Sikkim. For all travelers and cultural aficionados seeking a glimpse into vibrant Buddhist culture, Saga Dawa provides a platform that offers a visual treat of various sacred ceremonies and street processions. This festival sees huge attendance. Sikkim witnessed an increase of almost 90 percent in the arrival of foreign tourists in 2019 compared to the previous year! That figure alone gives us an idea of what role art and culture play in uniting people of variegated socio-economic backgrounds, religions, lifestyles, nationalities, etc.
Art and culture give storytellers a means to express their views on personal experiences. It is also a plausible medium for the inclusion of reflections and feelings about social issues that reflect the community situations of that period. From modest customs like Japenese tea-ceremonies and thanksgiving dinners to fullscale grand processions and festivals with extravagant festivities like Saga Dawa and Diwali, cultures and traditions blend people and erase differences. Witnessing art and culture leads to the blossoming of togetherness. To conclude, I would like to quote André Wilkens: "We have a shared cultural heritage, we have a shared cultural contemporary scene and we have a shared cultural future- all together".
