DHARAMSHALA, September 9: One of the oldest institutes to be established in exile commemorated its 55th founding anniversary on Monday at a glittering ceremony and performances for the annual cultural competition between the two troupes, Gyalu and Ngonpa.
The festival was themed as per the Tibetan government’s commemoration of the year 2014 as the year of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Tsering Yankey, the director of the institute, led the procession of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s portrait from His Holiness’ suite (read Tib:phodrang -Palace) in the institute to the auditorium where a nail-biting competition in four categories enthralled the audience that comprised of the Tibetan Prime Minister, speaker of the Tibetan parliament, members of the Kashag, Tibetan MPs, senior Tibetan officials and representatives from various NGOs.
Gyalu troupe won the competition that was categorized into modern Tibetan female solo, two traditional Tibetan dances and modern group song. Judged by five Tibetan professionals in the field of traditional and modern Tibetan music, the competition was neck and neck as only a half point was what mattered in the end.
The Tibetan PM, on behalf of his administration, thanked the institute for its work so far in preserving and promoting the Tibetan performing tradition, which is one of the ten branches of Tibetan traditional science.
“I have heard about the annual competition between the two troupes but had the privilege to actually see it today, and it really reflects the hard work put in by all the members of the institute,” the Tibetan PM said.
The institute honored one of its oldest members and opera master Sonam Phuntsok for his 35 years of association with the institute as a student, artiste and teacher. Sonam, who has just retired from service, was awarded a citation by the Tibetan PM. Two other staff members were also honored for twenty years of service.
Started off in August 1959 in Kalimpong as instructed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to conserve Tibet’s unique performing culture the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, then called Tibetan Drama Society, is the only government run institute for the preservation and promotion of Tibetan performing tradition.
