The Sikkimese Lepcha Cultural Association has set a remarkable cultural record for the “Maximum People Playing Tungbuk Lepcha Instrument at a Venue” during Yongthoom – Season 3, held at Ridge Park in Gangtok, Sikkim. A total of 32 participants came together to simultaneously perform on the traditional Tungbuk, showcasing an important element of Lepcha musical heritage and creating a memorable celebration of Sikkim’s indigenous culture.
The record attempt was organised with a larger cultural purpose: to revive, preserve and promote the Tungbuk, a traditional instrument that is at risk of fading from contemporary cultural practice. By bringing together 32 performers at a single venue, the event highlighted the instrument while providing a platform for traditional musicians to demonstrate its cultural importance to a wider audience. The performance also aimed to encourage younger generations to learn about Sikkim’s traditional folk music and develop a deeper appreciation for the musical practices passed down through generations.
Yongthoom – Season 3 provided a fitting platform for the achievement, bringing cultural preservation and community participation together at Ridge Park in the heart of Gangtok. The Sikkimese Lepcha Cultural Association’s initiative demonstrates how record-setting events can be used not only to achieve measurable milestones but also to draw attention to traditions that deserve greater recognition and preservation. With 32 people performing the Tungbuk together, the event transformed a traditional musical instrument into the centrepiece of a record-setting cultural celebration. The achievement stands as a tribute to the Lepcha community’s musical heritage and reinforces the importance of passing indigenous art forms, folk music and cultural traditions on to future generations.
