ABOUT TIPA

The Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) is one of the pioneering cultural institutes established through the vision of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. The institute was founded on 11th August 1959, registered under the society Act XXI of 1860 Government of India. Based in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh (India), the institute aims to preserve and promote Tibetan musical heritage and associated arts.
Classified as one of the key components of the traditional “five minor sciences” (Rik ne Chungwa Nga), dance and music are integral parts of Tibetan culture and tradition. The lessons and training provided at the institute include the comprehensive and undiluted transmission of traditional folk dance from Tibet’s three provinces of Dotoe, Domed and Utsang. The institute also carries forth the lesson and training in the tradition of Ache Lhamo or Tibetan opera.
Furthermore, the students are also taught in traditional folk instruments and songs from Tibet’s different regions. Highly trained and polished, the professional artistes of the institute serve as cultural ambassadors of Tibetan diaspora. Hundreds of graduates from this institute are now working as dance and music teacher in all Tibetan schools in India, Nepal and Bhutan.
Effectively functioning as a semi-autonomous entity, the academy is presided over by the Department of Region and Culture, Central Tibetan Administration.

List of incumbent Governing Body Members:

The administrative department of TIPA works to ensure a smooth functioning of the organization. It not only takes care of its day to day functioning, an array of extra curriculum activitiessuch as talks, workshops, talent show, excursion, training is also organized to achieve specific objectives. The administrative department functions as the key backbone of the institute and it works diligently to make sure that in the process all sections working under it functions without obstructions and achieve objectives.

This section prepares prop and other stage decoration items for plays and opera performances. They also work for thecostume design and production section.

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The main job of audio-visual recording studio is to record and make music for old and new Tibetan songs. Since its establishment, many folk songs and opera arias have been recorded and archived. Almost old recorded materials are in the formats of audio and video cassettes. These analogue collections are being digitized and archived as well.  These archival materials have been carefully documented.

A climate-controlled room where humidity level checks automatically for keeping the materials safe will be arranged in future. The current recording studio’s interior acoustic treatment was funded by The Dalai Lama Trust, Dharamshala. The structure was constructed with contributions from The Tibet Fund, New York, Shelly and Donald Rubin Foundation, USA, Dr. Victoria Sujata, USA, German Aid Tibetans, Germany, Dechen Shak-Dagsey, Dewa Che Foundation, Switzerland, Dreams for Tibet, Seatle, USA.The existing audio-visual equipment have been purchased with funds provided by USAID.

Individuals and organizations, who wanted to record songs and access TIPA’s 14^th Studio should contact Director or Secretary.

In 1994, the construction of the present museum was completed. It was funded by SOIRIM, Rajpur. His Holiness the 14^th Dalai Lama inaugurated the museum on April 16, 1995. The museum contains some old artefacts, costumes, jewellery, masks, shoes, headgears and musical instruments. With some additional help from the Flemish Government, the museum was renovated. The museum provides information to researchers and visitors about Tibetan culture and opera tradition. It serves as a reminder of once a country that ran independently by different emperors and later, by the successive Dalai Lamas.

Cultural School was founded in 1984 with the sole aim of producing well rounded young Tibetans who will not only have good career prospects in the modern world, but also have the capacity to contribute to Tibetan society through their knowledge of its arts and culture.

The school has currently 25 students aged between ten and sixteen. The students are children and grandchildren of Ache Lhamo Opera Association members. They live in dormitories detached from the main Institute complex, presided over by foster parents. After school, they receive extra lessons in Tibetan language, history, music, theatre, dance and art. It is believed that the talented children will cope successfully. The children have the advantage of being trained by the best instructors in the field of performing arts at TIPA. They will not be fully integrated into TIPA’s normal routine till their graduation.

TIPA has trained hundreds of young Tibetans for many decades. Many of these graduates, work as dance and music teacher in various Tibetan schools in India, Nepal and Bhutan. The artistes,who left TIPA have scattered across the world. A new initiative has been developed to bring all these members under the umbrella of Alumni Association. The goal is to bring the former members closer to the alma mater by introducing the merits of forming this alumni association.

Member in India

Member in USA

Members in Canada

Members in Europe