GANGTOK, : The Organisation of Musicians and Artists of Sikkim (OMAS) is set to
celebrate its 12th foundation day on Friday with a weeklong musical
engagement at MG Marghere.
Addressing
a press meet here, OMAS president Leezum Bhutia said the 12th
foundation day is being celebrated from March 21 to 26 with the theme
‘Souvenirs of Sikkim’.
Under
this initiative, the event will feature 25 stalls offering a platform for local
artisans, artists, and entrepreneurs. The stalls will cater to small-scale
industries, startups, and craftspeople. Additionally, there will be an open-mic
session where local artists can perform and showcase their talents, with
on-the-spot registrations available.
This
event, coinciding with the peak tourist season, aims to encourage tourists to
purchase souvenirs, while simultaneously supporting local businesses and
entrepreneurs, said the OMAS president.
The
event is supported by the Commerce & Industries department.
On
the final day of the celebrations, OMAS will honour two of the State’s
longest-running bands, Orchid and Freckle, with special recognition. Posthumous
awards will also be presented to late Mellow Gyatso and late Rahul Rai of
Tribal Rain for their invaluable contributions to the Sikkimese music scene.
OMAS
advisor and founder member Tshering Wangchuk Lepcha, at the press meet, shared
the history and mission of OMAS. He highlighted that the organization was
founded in 2012 to provide a platform for artists and musicians in Sikkim, who
previously lacked recognition, fair compensation, and support.
Prior
to OMAS’s establishment, artists struggled with inadequate respect, validation,
and financial remuneration, including poor accommodation and travel
arrangements by intermediaries.
Tshering
further shared that the OMAS gained significant momentum with the launch of the
Facebook page Sikkim Rocks, which led to a peaceful rally on March 17, 2013,
involving 300-400 participants in Gangtok. The rally, which included a
performance of the song ‘One Love,’ took place from Hungry Jack to Zero Point.
A
similar rally was organized in Namchi to advocate for the protection of
artists' and musicians' rights.
“In
2013, OMAS proposed the creation of an Artist Welfare Board to safeguard these
rights. Although OMAS was initially perceived by the previous government as an
opposition group with alternative motives, the organization continued its
efforts to create a positive impact. Since 2019, the current government has
supported OMAS’s initiatives, including programs like Sikkim Kalakar Bharosa
Samelan, which benefit the State’s artists and musicians,” said Tshering.
OMAS
advisor Sonam Gyaltsen Bhutia spoke about the significance of the 12th
foundation day’s theme, ‘Souvenirs of Sikkim’, emphasizing that it not only
promotes the local economy but also provides a platform for micro-enterprises
in India.
The
event will feature a ‘Ramp’ section, designed to showcase products from India’s
micro-enterprises.
Gangtok
MLA Delay Namgyal Barfungpa would be inaugurating the event on Friday
afternoon.
In
addition to the open-mic sessions, which offer a platform for emerging artists,
Sonam also highlighted OMAS’s extensive charitable efforts. Over the years, the
organization has organized benefit shows for flood victims in Sikkim, as well
as in other States such as Uttarakhand, Kerala, and Nagaland, as well as for
the victims of the Nepal earthquake.
Sonam
further recounted a pivotal moment in 2013 when a question was raised to the
then government: “When the State needs entertainment, artists are called upon,
but what about recognition and revenue for their contributions?”
This
question, which led to the rally in 2013, also resulted in OMAS’s petition for
an ‘Artist Protection Guarantee Act,’ which continues to be actively pursued.
