BENJAMIN RAI: HIS MUSIC STOLE THE HEARTS OF MANY.

-




 Music was his life. Literally, it was so. It is said that when Benjamin Rai, popularly known as Ranka Sir because of his long association with rank School, gets hold of a harmonium he becomes oblivious of his surroundings and passage of time and forget another, mostly composed by himself. Barely a year before the septurian singer breathed his last, he enthralled a capacity crowd in the community hall by rendering a number of old hits bringing nostalgic feelings among a number of old citizens. 
Late Benjamin Rai Son of late David Rai of Mount Hermon, Darjeeling. Was born on July 28 1929 He started his service career in 1959 in the Education department as a primary teacher in Ranka School. Since he spent a long time in Ranka School, he was also known as Ranka Sir. In 1971 he was transferred toTtashi Namgyal High School, where he served till his retirement.
From early age Benjamin RAI Was interested in music and took part in various musical programmed in school function and outside the State. He was not only a singer, dancer and musician but also a composer of Nepali folk song. One of his compositions written and tuned by him won first prize in Kalimpong music competition in 1957. He represented Denzong musical Academy in the competition. Ranka Sir distinguished himself when he composed the song on the auspicious occasion of the Coronation of the Late Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal held on 14th April, 1965. This song on doubt became an instant hit in Sikkim. In addition to these achievements in the field of music and performing arts, Mr. Benjamin Rai along with other artist of Sikkim recorded their songs at Hindustan Recording Company, Calcutta.
In 1977 he participated as musician, in the north East Regional festival and was give SILPI AWARD by chief minister of Assam. During 1981-84 he was one of the members of advisory committee of All India Radio, Kurseong. In 1995 he honoured by the Department of Culture, Government of Sikkim on the occasion of Award Function of Sikkim Music Competition 1995. Master of folk songs he is also the recipient of Sikkim State Award.       
 Courtesy by: Department of Information & Public Relations Government.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

PARAGLIDING: A NEW SPORT FOR ADVENTURE.

-
Image
With the recent infrastructural development there has been a tremendous growth in tourism industry in Sikkim. The Tourism Department of Sikkim has come up with various adventure sports in order to promote tourism in the state. Among various, paragliding is one of the best that Sikkim can offer.     Started by 3 Sikkimese locals, Rajdeep Thapa, Arjun rai & Chandraprakash Pradhan under the banner of “Fly Sikkim adventure” is the one and only Government registered Paragliding Agency that has been operating in the State since the last few months and is located only a few kilometers (6-7) away from Gangtok, at Lower Luing , Resithang near Khel Gaon. Inaugurated in the month of April 2010, but commercial took off only in the month of November, has taken 85 flights so far among whom five were foreigners, 2 Australian and 3  Bhutanese and has delivered 100% successful result.            “Fly Sikkim adventure” offers two kind of flight, one termed as ‘short-flight’ is taken from Luing,
Read more

Indian women education: - A historical perspective

-
Image
Dr. I..B.S. Yadav By: DR. INDRA BIR SINGH YADAV Education is a ladder of development. It dispels darkness and brings s light. It is a base of all Human Resource Development, a stepping stone for the onward march of culture, the bedrock of all human progress. An ancient proverb lays down: If you are planning for one year, plant trees; If you are planning for five years, plant rice: If you are planning for the future, educate your children. “Education of one boy is education of one person by education of a girl the education of the whole family”. --- Jawaharlal Nehru This statement amply and to a great extent explains the importance of women education. In India, the condition of women education has always remained deplorable. Women’ education was badly neglected in the past. While her position in Vedic times or even the Upanishadic Era was good, there is no doubt that period after 1000A.D. was a dark age for her. Whatever the historic reasons, her social position began
Read more

KITE FLYING IN SIKKIM: A LOST JOY

-
Image
by Kesang Pakhrin :The history of Kite can be traced back to thousand of years ago that originated in China . The Kite during those days was used as means of sending message during the time of war. Some other sources also list uses of kite for measuring distances, testing of direction of winds and signaling for military operations. It has its own story and carries its own significance from places to places. In India , the kite further evolved into the fighter kite known as the “Patang”. Here, the annual kite running competitions are held every year on the day of Makar Sankranti. Kite festivals are held at different countries, which is of ritual significance for the people of the respective countries. Now coming back to our state Sikkim , I often wonder and look back to the day when I was a kid. The winter season of December and January, time for winter vacation for every school, used to be full of fun and enjoyment. Flying kite, it was how we used to spend most of our holiday
Read more