<p>Gangtok: Jordan Lepcha, a craftsman of Sikkim who makes bamboo hats with stories of historical events and family values inscribed on them, was one of those selected for the Padma Shri award this year.</p>.<p>The 50-year-old craftsman hailing from Lower Lingdong in Mangan district has been nurturing the cultural heritage of the Lepcha tribe for the past 25 years.</p>.<p>"The hats are worn during important events and formal functions. These hats are the identity of the Lepcha tribe," said Lepcha.</p>.<p>He has preserved the ancient craft of weaving traditional Lepcha hats, called 'Sumok Thyaktuk', and bamboo crafts. He is one of a handful of skilled artisans involved with it.</p>.<p>Only natural materials sourced locally are used in making of the hats, said Lepcha.</p>.<p>Stories of historical events such as the wedding of kings, bonding of family members or popular Lepcha folktales are inscribed in the hats created by the master craftsman.</p>.<p>The bamboo hats cost anywhere between Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 and takes about one and a half months to complete one.</p>.<p>"Six or seven hats can be produced in a year. It is labour-intensive work which requires time, skill and concentration," he said.</p>.<p>Lepcha said he started this trade in 2003 when he realised that crafts that preserve the identity of a community should be protected and carried further for the upcoming generations.</p>.<p>He said he has imparted his knowledge to over 150 youths from different parts of Sikkim, many of whom now sustain themselves by creating their own bamboo craft items.</p>.PM Modi congratulates Padma Awards recipients, says India cherishes their contribution.<p>"These hats have given me an identity of my own in society," Lepcha smiled.</p>.<p>Other than hats, the artisan makes items of everyday use like mugs, hair clips for women etc.</p>.<p>He adds that he has not advertised and marketed his craft on a large scale but fulfilled the demand from his community members.</p>.<p>Lepcha said the preservation of this craft requires the Geographical Indication (GI) tag as it will help secure the art of hat making for the future.</p>.<p>The GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.</p>.<p>Lepcha said the process of GI registration has been initiated by the Sikkim government.</p>.<p>Happy to be honoured with the Padma Sri, he expressed hope that this award will bring more focus to this traditional craft. </p>
<p>Gangtok: Jordan Lepcha, a craftsman of Sikkim who makes bamboo hats with stories of historical events and family values inscribed on them, was one of those selected for the Padma Shri award this year.</p>.<p>The 50-year-old craftsman hailing from Lower Lingdong in Mangan district has been nurturing the cultural heritage of the Lepcha tribe for the past 25 years.</p>.<p>"The hats are worn during important events and formal functions. These hats are the identity of the Lepcha tribe," said Lepcha.</p>.<p>He has preserved the ancient craft of weaving traditional Lepcha hats, called 'Sumok Thyaktuk', and bamboo crafts. He is one of a handful of skilled artisans involved with it.</p>.<p>Only natural materials sourced locally are used in making of the hats, said Lepcha.</p>.<p>Stories of historical events such as the wedding of kings, bonding of family members or popular Lepcha folktales are inscribed in the hats created by the master craftsman.</p>.<p>The bamboo hats cost anywhere between Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 and takes about one and a half months to complete one.</p>.<p>"Six or seven hats can be produced in a year. It is labour-intensive work which requires time, skill and concentration," he said.</p>.<p>Lepcha said he started this trade in 2003 when he realised that crafts that preserve the identity of a community should be protected and carried further for the upcoming generations.</p>.<p>He said he has imparted his knowledge to over 150 youths from different parts of Sikkim, many of whom now sustain themselves by creating their own bamboo craft items.</p>.PM Modi congratulates Padma Awards recipients, says India cherishes their contribution.<p>"These hats have given me an identity of my own in society," Lepcha smiled.</p>.<p>Other than hats, the artisan makes items of everyday use like mugs, hair clips for women etc.</p>.<p>He adds that he has not advertised and marketed his craft on a large scale but fulfilled the demand from his community members.</p>.<p>Lepcha said the preservation of this craft requires the Geographical Indication (GI) tag as it will help secure the art of hat making for the future.</p>.<p>The GI is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.</p>.<p>Lepcha said the process of GI registration has been initiated by the Sikkim government.</p>.<p>Happy to be honoured with the Padma Sri, he expressed hope that this award will bring more focus to this traditional craft. </p>