DHARAMSHALA: His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave a special audience to the participants of the ongoing 23rd Tibetan Opera Festival today at Tsuglagkhang. A total of 11 opera troupes from India and one from Nepal are participating in the ongoing festival. His Holiness applauded the artistes for preserving the unique cultural heritage of Tibetan opera by establishing opera troupes in the settlements.
During the special audience, His Holiness stressed the significance and relevance of Buddhist science of logic and science of mind (psychology) to the world today. He said that this knowledge originated in India and that he keeps telling his Indian brothers and sisters to revive and preserve this unique tradition. He also spoke about the role Tibetan language and culture play in preserving the Nalanda tradition of ancient India. Likewise, His Holiness said the Tibetan opera stands out among the rich and varied performing arts that have flourished on the Tibetan plateau.
His Holiness expressed deep appreciation for the artiste’s dedication to reviving and promoting Tibetan opera. He applauded the continued efforts to establishing new opera associations in the settlements. He thanked the artistes for their contribution in keeping an important part of the Tibetan culture alive.