DHARAMSHALA: The 17th Shoton or Opera Festival of Tibet began this morning at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts in a sombre note in view of the spate of tragic self-immolations of Tibetans inside Tibet. Deputy Speaker of Parliament Khenpo Sonam Tenphel inaugurated the week-long event.

The opera festival started with a minute’s silence and offering of the words of truth prayer in memory of all those Tibetans who have sacrificed lives for the cause of Tibet, and who are still suffering the brutal repression of the Chinese government in Tibet.

Mr Sonam Choephel, director of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA), read out the annual report on efforts made by TIPA in the preservation and promotion of Tibet’s unique and ancient tradition of performing arts.

He described the preservation and promotion of the ancient tradition of Tibetan opera as a valuable contribution and an expression of solidarity from the Tibetans in exile with their brethren inside Tibet.

After the address, the participants from various opera groups presented extracts from several operas for about 45 minutes.

This year’s festival will feature performances by opera groups from Kalimpong, Nepal, Orissa, Bylakuppe, Mundgod and TIPA.

Schedule:

Date                                       Programme

20 March            Premiere performance by each Opera Group
21  March           ‘Pema Woeber’ by Kalimpong Opera Group
22 March            ‘Prince Drimey Kunden’ by Nepal Opera Group
23 March            ‘Drowa Sangmo’ by Orissa Opera Group
24 March            ‘Sugkyi Nyima’ by Bylakuppe Opera Group
25 March            ‘Prince Norsang’ by Mundgon Opera Group
26 March            ‘Nangsa Woebum’ by artistes of TIPA