Mumbai: Under the coordination of the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) of the Central Tibetan Administration, several Tibetan institutions participated jointly in the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival this year. The participating institutions included the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA), Norbulingka Institute, Men-Tsee-Khang (Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute), Upper TCV Handicraft Centre, and monks from Gyumed Tantric Monastery.

A total of 25 members from TIPA, led by its Director Dhondup Tsering, took part in the festival. From January 1 to January 3, 2026, TIPA artists presented a series of traditional Tibetan cultural performances at Harmimon Garden, Fort Circle, Mumbai. The three-day performances showcased a range of Tibetan folk songs and dances, including the Snow Lion Dance, Yak dance, and other distinctive forms of Tibetan performing arts.

The performances drew significant attention and were warmly received by local audiences, students, tourists, and members of the general public. As part of the visit, the TIPA delegation also toured the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Mumbai, where they met with relevant officials and held discussions on potential future collaborations and joint artistic performance initiatives.

This year’s participation marked the first time that artists from the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts performed at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival. The successful reception of the performances has opened avenues for continued participation in future editions of the festival. During the three-day event, several national and local Indian media outlets conducted interviews with the Tibetan artists. Additionally, interactions and exchanges with other participating artists contributed to greater mutual understanding and cultural exchange.

Overall, the participation provided a valuable platform to highlight the ongoing efforts of Tibetans in exile to preserve, sustain, and promote Tibet’s unique cultural and artistic heritage on an international stage.

The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, held annually in the Kala Ghoda area of South Mumbai, began in 1999 and is organised by the Kala Ghoda Association, established on October 30, 1998. The name “Kala Ghoda,” meaning “Black Horse,” originates from a black equestrian statue of King Edward VII erected in the area in 1879. Over time, the name became associated with the locality and was later adopted for the arts festival itself.

– Report filed by Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts