TIPA turns 49, Pays Musical Tribute to Tibetan Martyrs
Monday, 9 June 2008, 9:29 a.m.
Artists of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, on its 49th founding anniversary on 7 June, performing a solemn musical tribute to Tibetans who laid down their lives in the recent peaceful demonstrations against decades of oppressive Chinese rule in Tibet/Photos: Sangjey Kep |
Dharamshala: The Tibetan
Institute of Performing of Arts (TIPA) on Sunday presented a grand
musical tribute to all those gallant Tibetans, who sacrificed their
lives during the recent unprecedented upsurge of protests against the
nearly five decades of repressive Chinese rule in Tibet.
A one minute silence was observed in their memory, after the
lighting of butter lamp by the chief guest, Karma Chophel, speaker of
the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.
Saturday’s event – TIPA’s summer musical celebration (Yar kyi)
– marked the successful completion of 49 years of the institute’s
crucial role in reviving, preserving and promoting the ancient heritage
of Tibet’s traditional performing arts.
Regaling audience with a traditional folk song of western Tibet |
The attraction of this year’s musical gala is
competition between artists from its two houses, Ngonpa and Gyalu,
which focused on traditional folk songs and dances of Kham and U-Tsang
regions of Tibet.
The artists presented pure traditional numbers, enthralling an
exclusive audience of a wide array of Tibetan dignitaries, including
chief guest Speaker Karma Chophel, members of Kashag (cabinet),
standing committee members of the Tibetan Parliament. Finally, it was
Gyalu, who ran away with the winning trophy.
While encouraging the artists, Speaker Karma Chophel said:
“Rather than winning or losing, what is more important is the efforts
they put in the competition,” which, he added, “ultimately contribute
to the promotion and preservation of Tibetan cultural identity.”
The speaker said special care has to be taken to ensure
sustenance of the traditional Tibetan performing arts in its
originality, rather than diluting it by other forms of music. He also
urged all the concerned staff of the institute to put more efforts in
the preservation and promotion of Tibet’s cultural heritage.
Dignitaries of the Central Tibetan Administration observing one minute silence to pay homage to Tibetan martyrs. (seen in the picture from left) Speaker Karma Chophel, Kalon Tsering Phuntsok, Kalon Ngodup Dongchung and Chief Election Commissioner Tashi Phuntsok |
“Through music, we are expressing our message of profound grief and
hope to uplift the spirit of our brethrens in their struggle for the
just cause of Tibet,” Wangchuk Phasur, director of TIPA said, while
announcing that this year’s three-day celebration has been cut short to
one-day as an expression of condolence to Tibetan martyrs.
Mr Phasur said: “One of the prime objectives of the institute
[TIPA] is to revive traditional songs and dances from Do-Toe, Do-Mey
and U Tsang – the three traditional provinces of Tibet.”
“In the past many years, efforts have been made in promoting
Tibet’s ancient heritage through performing cultural shows in places
across the length and breadth of India and in various cities all over
the world,” he added.
He further said: “The institute was particularly successful in
its numerous initiatives to revive and promote the traditional folk
opera of Tibet, as per the expressed wish of His Holiness the Dalai
Lama.”