Golden Jubilee Celebration of Preservation and Promotion of Tibetan Theatrical ArtsThe
Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts completes 50 years of excellence
in preservation and promotion of theatrical arts and culture on 11
August 2009[Wednesday, 12 August 2009, 10:14 a.m.]

Artistes of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts performs traditional Tibetan dance during a musical gala to mark its fiftieth founding anniversary in Dharamsala, India, on 11 August 2009/Photo: Tenzin Dhonyoe

Dharamshala:
After coming into exile following military oppression of Tibet by the
People’s Republic of China, braving every obstacle in exile, five
Tibetans met in Kalimpong in India under the guidance of His Holiness
the Dalai Lama to unite their efforts in the preservation and promotion
of Tibet’s unique culture, particularly the theatrical arts.Kabshoe
Bartso Dorjee Dhondup, Tsedrung Kalsang Kunga, Shodrung Chichak Dorjee,
Chaknang Tsewang Rigzin Nornang Nawang Norbu and Maja Nawang Thutob
built the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts from scratch on 11
August 1959. Since then many dedicated Tibetans have led the institute
in making tangible progress in the preservation and promotion of
Tibet’s traditional performing arts.  The institute has till
date produced 483 professional artists out of which 110 have
successfully passed out as outstanding teachers. Many of these teachers
and artistes have associated themselves with Tibetan schools in India,
Nepal and Bhutan in passing  on the legacy of Tibetan traditional
performing arts to the younger generation to ensure its continuity. The
institute has made special efforts to preserve and promote all nine
classical forms of performing arts as per the traditions and at the
same time gone beyond by creating three entirely new arts with due
innovations. In promoting Lhamo or opera, the institute has revived the
ancient traditional opera festival – Shoton – during which opera
troupes from Tibetan settlements are provided platforms to showcase
their talents and skills.A grand musical gala was organised
yesterday to celebrate this milestone, . Artistes from two houses –
Gyalu and Ngonpa – vied for the trophy by presenting the best of
traditional songs and dances of Tibet. Gyalu out shined its counterpart
at the end.

Gyalu rukhag (house) lifts the trophy after the musical competition. Liaison Officer Manika    Jain gave away the prizes

Senior
officials of Indian government and the Central Tibetan Administration,
including liaison officer of the Indian government, justice
commissioner of the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission, deputy speaker
and members of Tibetan Parliament, Kalon for Religion and Culture and
members of Kashag, attended the landmark event.In his address,
Wangchuk Phasur, director of TIPA expressed gratitude to the people,
the government of Himachal Pradesh and Government of India for their
active support for the successful preservation and promotion of Tibetan
religion and culture in exile. To all them let me say – Thank you
India, Mr Phasur added.He pledged to put more efforts to
improve and develop all activities of TIPA to the highest standards in
both traditional and modern arts and culture. Ven Tsering
Phuntsok, Kalon for Religion and Culture said the preservation of
Tibetan cultural heritage would not only help Tibetans, but also
benefit the entire world because of its essence of non-violence and
peace, and Tibet’s strategic position as roof of the world.The
Chinese government, which destroyed Tibet’s culture and religion during
the Cultural Revolution, is now compelled to rethink its policy on the
preservation of Tibetan culture and religion, he added.He
emphasised more efforts and innovations in the preservation of all
aspects of Tibet’s culture heritage through promoting Tibetan
traditional arts.Liaison Officer Manika Jain congratulated the
Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts for successfully harnessing and
honing the skills of Tibetan artists in the field of Tibet’s unique
traditional performing arts.Mrs Jain said the government of
India would continue its support for the preservation and promotion of
Tibetan culture heritage, and education of the Tibetan children in
exile.