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The Kagyed Dance Of Sikkim
The Kagyed Dance is an annual customary dance ceremony held in the North-Eastern state of Sikkim. Rooted in Buddhist tradition and performed by the lamas (monks), this vibrant dance ritual takes place on the 28th and 29th day of the 10th month in the Tibetan calendar, which corresponds with the month of December on the Gregorian calendar. The festivities commence two days prior to the onset of the Sikkimese New Year, “Losoong” (as the Bhutias call it) or “Namsoong” (as known among the Lepchas) and marks the end of the harvest season.
Kagyed Cham being performed at the Rumtek Monastery. Image Source: Shutterstock.
The Kagyed dance or the Kagyed Cham draws its name from the Bhutia language. "Ka" translates to “oral transmission”, “Gyed” means eight, while “Cham” refers to a ceremonial or ritualistic dance. This theatrical ritualistic performance thus honours the eight Tantric deities of Tibetan Buddhism. In essence, Kagyed Cham is a sacred proclamation of victory over darkness and a celebration of the triumph of good over evil. Through graceful yet swift movements, elaborate silken brocade costumes and ceremonial swords, ornate masks and chanting of prayers, the performers depict tales of courage, wisdom, and transcendence from the rich tapestry of Buddhist mythology. Chronicles of the divine powers of Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet and his teachings form a central facet in the performance. It is through this sacred dance ritual that the performers pray for protection from the Kagyed deities against malevolent spirits and invoke their blessings for the well-being of the community in the forthcoming year.
A wall painting on the Rumtek Monastery depicting Guru Padmasambhava and his retinue. Image Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Historically, the Kagyed Cham used to take place in the Tsuklakhang Palace chapel at Gangtok, the modern-day capital city of Sikkim. The Cham used to be conducted by the lamas of the Pemayangtse monastery. Villagers from far and wide used to send offerings of newly harvested grains to the Palace which helped in sustaining the participating lamas. Today, the Kagyed dance ritual is conducted across several other significant monasteries as well, such as the Phodong Monastery and Old Rumtek Monastery of Sikkim.
The Tsuklakhang Palace (left) and Tsuklakhang Monastery (right) in Sikkim. Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
A fascinating aspect of Kagyed dance is the inclusion of thirteen animal characters in the dance ritual, viz. Lion, Yak, Dog, Monkey, Tiger, Bull, Leopard, Parrot, Pig, Deer, Owl, Alligator, Garuda. These animals are imagined to be part of the retinue of the higher Dharmapalas (divinities who are protectors and guardians of Buddhism and its practitioners). The Lion and the Garuda (the mythical bird) who enter right at the first and at the last respectively, are believed to be the most powerful, while the Bull also plays a crucial role. Another unique set of characters that enter the Cham are the ‘Skull’ figures (dhurdak). Deemed to be guardians of the graveyard, the ‘Skull’ figures play the role of arresting evil spirits. Two or four such characters join the dance in white masks and elaborate costumes. They bring the Linga or Mara---an earthen figure in human form roughly one feet tall, which is depicted to have an exaggerated phallus and is deemed to be the symbol of all evil and impurities---and place it in the courtyard. They then resort to a powerful dance sequence, ridiculing and debasing the Mara, thereby, symbolically indicating Mara’s imminent killing by the Dharmapalas.
Monks in the Garuda (Left) and Skull (Right) masks. Image Source: Shutterstock.
The structure of a Cham performance follows an accumulative pattern, where a series of exorcism dances by various characters are repeated with increasing intensity, leading up to the ultimate triumph of Buddhist Dharma over Evil. Throughout the performance, the destructive power of the characters grows stronger amid the resonating sounds of drums, longhorns, trumpets, and prayer chants. This builds up to a dramatic climax, typically marked by the cutting of Mara or Linga. In the Kagyed Cham of Sikkim, this act is performed by a stag (Shawa) wielding a dagger. The broken pieces of Mara's body are then distributed to the deity-characters and devotees as tokens of good luck, symbolizing purification through the sacrificial act. Despite the underlying solemnity of the themes portrayed, the Kagyed Dance also incorporates moments of light-heartedness, as jesters add a touch of humour and levity to the proceedings.
Monks wearing elaborate silk robes and intricate masks depict the destruction of Evil by Buddhist Dharma during the Kagyed Cham. Image Source: Shutterstock.
As the festival reaches its zenith, effigies crafted from flour, wood, and paper are set ablaze, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness. These ritualistic burnings serve as a reminder of the eternal struggle between good and evil and the ultimate victory of the Good. It is popularly believed that the act of witnessing the theatrical ritualistic Kagyed dance itself carries great spiritual significance and the audience is blessed with good health and prosperity in the coming year.
The significance of the Kagyed Dance extends beyond its role as a cultural spectacle; it serves as a powerful medium for spiritual expression and communal cohesion. Through the enactment of sacred rituals and the portrayal of mythical narratives, the dance fosters a sense of connection with the divine realm and reinforces bonds of kinship among the participants and spectators alike. The Kagyed Dance is undoubtedly a spectacular intangible cultural heritage of India.
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