Sikyong Penpa Tsering speaking during the closing ceremony of the Swara Mountain Arts Festival at Dharamshala College.

Dharamshala: Sikyong Penpa Tsering attended the closing ceremony of the 4th Swara Mountain Arts Festival themed “Rise for the Dancing Mother Earth & the Harmony of Five Elements” at the Dharamshala College Auditorium as its chief guest on 12 April 2025.

The event, a celebration of both environmental consciousness and the empowerment of women, showcased a vibrant array of cultural performances from Kathak dancer and Padma Shri awardee Shovana Narayan, Coke Studio artist Guru Sonam Kalra, acclaimed Manipuri vocalist Mangka Laihui, the spirited Ladakhi band Dashugs, and semi-classical dancer and choreographer Aditya Vardhan.

Addressing the audience, Sikyong expressed deep admiration for those championing the cause of feminism. He emphasised that, as every individual is born of and nurtured by a mother, it is essential to honour and respect all women.