by Phurbu Thinley

Dharamsala, December 2: Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) on Wednesday began a four-day cultural show here featuring traditional Tibetan music and folk dances, and Tibetan opera in celebration of its 50th founding anniversary.

The celebration opened this morning with official speeches, including a message from the exiled Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama read out by the institute's director Mr Wangchuk Phasur, and a modest photo exhibition detailing the institute's progressive journey.

In his message, the Dalai Lama, who is currently on a 11-day tour of Australia and New Zealand, extended greetings to the members of the institute and expressed appreciation for the institute’s achievements over the years in preserving and promoting the tradition of Tibetan performing arts.

“In exile while carrying the heavy burden to regain our freedom, to preserve our culture and the dharma, we started many activities in India. Amongst them establishing the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts was one of the first,” the Dalai Lama said in his message.

“The Tibetan performing arts symbolises the essence of our identity, and all the members of the institute, both old and young, have bravely faced hardships and firmly held to the root of this art, which they displayed not only within the exile communities but also across the world,” he added.

“On this occasion of our fifty years in exile, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Tibetan institute of Performing Arts, I would like to offer my greetings to all the members of this institute. Particularly, I would like to offer my prayers to the older generation and those who are no longer with us here,” the 74-year old Tibetan leader said.

Presiding over as the chief guest of the celebratory function was Mr Tsering Dhondup, the minister for the finance department of the exile Tibetan Government. Representatives of various organs and the departments of the Central Tibetan Administration and major Tibetan NGOs, and some alumni of the institute were also present during the function, which was later followed by the Tibetan opera show Sukyi Nyima.

Mr Dhondup in his closing address to the gathering appreciated the works of the institute in preserving and promoting the unique Tibetan performing arts. He also expressed his confidence that the institute will continue to make contribution in keeping alive the unique cultural heritage of Tibet.

TIPA was established on 11 August, 1959, by few dedicated Tibetans in the northeastern Indian town of Kalimpong under the direction of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. A premiere exile institute entrusted with the responsibility of preserving and promoting Tibet’s unique tradition of performing arts, it was formerly called the Tibetan Drama Party before it changed to its present name.

Over the years, the institute has produced number of professional artistes and trained over a hundred musical teachers to teach in various Tibetan schools in India, Nepal and Bhutan. According to institute's director Mr Phasur, TIPA artistes have toured over 32 different countries and performed in over 100 different live shows worldwide.

Reflecting on its achievements, the institute today appropriately felicitated its retired staff members for their lifelong and outstanding contribution.

The institute’s administration has put special emphasis on this year’s celebrations as Tibetans around the world mark their "50 Years in Exile" since China took complete control over Tibet in 1959.