Dharamshala: In the spirit of brotherhood and gratitude, the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) joined in the joy of this year’s celebration of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav in Lahaul and Spiti.

Thirty-five artists from the Institution put up magnificent shows on the closing day of the Tribal fair in Keylong and performed on all three days of the LaDharcha festival at Kaza, Lahaul Spiti Valley, being held from August 18 to 21, 2022. TIPA was invited by the organising committees to perform at these festivals, which coincided with India’s 75th Independence Day celebrations. The shows have enjoyed great popularity in the aforementioned regions for many years as the local residents share the same strong cultural heritage to that of Tibet’s.

During the tour, different traditional songs and dance sequences and the opera were performed to an audience comprising over 3000 Himalayan residents, and gracing the show were also numerous VIPs comprising the local gentry, SDMs, District Magistrates, and other officials of the state and central governments and the people’s representatives, right from local panchayat leaders right up to MLAs and Members of Parliament.

The closing day of the famous LaDharcha festival was presided over by the honourable Technical Education and Tribal Development Minister, Government of Himachal Pradesh, Dr. Ram Lal Markanda. The TIPA director, Dhondup Tsering, and Tenzin Phuntsok, assistant director of art, presented the chief guest with a traditional hand carving, “Ngonpa Bak,” in front of over 4,000 cheering audience members.

On behalf of all the Tibetans, the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts also honoured Sh. Abhishek Verma, ADC, Kaza, and Sh. Gunjeet Singh Cheema, SDM, Kaza, expressing gratitude and appreciation for the harmony between the Tibetan and Indian communities. The TIPA director gave a warm thank you address, appreciating the organising committee’s chairperson and all members, as well as the Kaza public, for showering their appreciation, love, and affection on Tibet’s traditional cultural performances. The 4000 plus audience witnessing the show was overwhelmed and sincerely applauded the Tibetan traditional dances which marked the end of this year’s LaDharcha festival.

-Report field by TIPA