Here’s an excellent, almost 10 minute long, video of scenes from Kalimpong from 1957. The footage seems to mainly show the Tibetan traders in town and it’s fascinating to watch a “moving” slice of our town’s history.

There are some great shots of the town roads, the yaks and mule trains, an archery match (played by the Bhutanese of Kalimpong) among others. This video is a gem of a find, and kalimpong.info is greatly indebted to ‘norsangnkunsang‘ for uploading it to YouTube, and a tip of the hat to Lhadup Moktan for bringing it to my notice. :)

Enjoy. And if anyone can add anymore information about this video or its contents please do share with us in the comments section.

p.s. The video does not seem to have any sound. You don’t have to fiddle with your speakers. :)

UPDATE (April 3, 2010):
The video is from the Museum Archives of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. They were recorded by a Mr. Watson Kintner who roamed the world with his 30mm camera and recorded these priceless scenes for posterity. The Archives contain a few more videos which I will post soon.

Here’s the shotlist according to the archives site:

Cat. Reel 112 1957: Reel 8: Kalimpong. March 4-8.
Rooster and his reflection.
Feeding (using bamboo tube) water buffalo. (mws).
Many people from Tibet.
Caravan.
Cooking at camp.
Butter churn.
Hip violin.
Prayer flags.
Painting on monastery walls.
Country scenes,
Flaying grain. |
Bhuta men shooting arrows (note target – 50 yards).
Stamping a prayer flag. (cu).
Caravan.
Dyeing.
Camp.
Shrines.
Himalayas from Kalimpong, people in street.
Shoeing oxen.
Long caravan. Man with trained bear and goat.
Girls pounding grain.
Warming hand and feet over charcoal fire in dish.
Caravan on mountain road. Himalayas

-Admin