<span style="color: #222222;">Sikkim chief minister PS Tamang has extended condolences on the passing away of Lepcha folk musician, composer and lyricist Sonam Tshering Lepcha at the age of 92 today. In a social media post, Mr Tamang said that Sonam Tshering Lepcha was the first person from the Lepcha community to be aired on All India Radio in 1960. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He was also known for promoting and reviving the Lepcha culture. Sonam Tshering Lepcha was awarded the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1995 and the Padma Shri in 2007 for his contribution to folk music. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He was also included in the top 50 for the Tagore Akademi Ratna Award and was conferred with the Lifetime Achievement award by the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) in 2020. Mr Lepcha is also the founder of a museum in Kalimpong, West Bengal, which houses ancient artefacts including indigenous instruments and manus. Mr Tamang prayed for strength to the bereaved family.</span><br />''