DHARAMSHALA, May 28 : The Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, the first government established institute of the exile Tibetans, today celebrated its 57th founding anniversary with its annual Yarkyi cultural competition between the two houses, Gyalu and Ngonpa.
The Tibetan Prime Minister Lobsang Sangay who took his oath of office yesterday at an official ceremony made his first public appearance of his second term as the Chief Guest. Also present were Mr Gurusharan Singh, Liaison Officer, Kargyu Dhondup, the Chief Justice Commissioner, and speaker of the Tibetan parliament Penpa Tsering, among others.
A one-minute silence was observed in memory of Tibetan martyrs before the start of the contest that has been the attraction of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts for many years.
The contest was categorized into one solo song with band, 2 regional dances each and a play themed ‘Unity’. Ngonpa house headed by Lharik Drakpa and Tenzin Jampa as head of the troupe won the solo song and play categories while Gyalu house led by Tenzin Choenyi won the two dances’ categories. However, Ngonpa house turned the ultimate winner.
The director of the institute, Wangdue Tsering, welcomed the guests to this year’s Yarkyi in his address and expressed his gratitude to the Kashag for sanctioning projects geared towards promotion and preservation of the Tibetan performing culture including renovation works of the current auditorium.
Wangdue briefed the audience about the various activities of the institute, including projects to construct new auditorium and girls hostel. He noted the importance of the institute in not just preserving the Tibetan performing art but also promotion of it around the world with former members of the institute taking initiatives for various Tibetan communities around the world.
The Tibetan PM expressed his appreciation at the members of the institute for their dedication and hard work in functioning of the institute that he said is important because he showcases the Tibetan culture t the rest of the world. “Culture is very important, as it is the face of the Tibetan people to the world.”
A delegation of 120 Vietnamese Buddhists on visit for His Holiness’ teachings was also present to experience the performing tradition from the roof of the world.
Located in the exile headquarters of Dharamshala, TIPA is the only official organisation in the exile community catering to the preservation and promotion of Tibetan performing arts. The institute’s artistes travel widely around the globe showcasing Tibet’s unique culture and traditional arts.
