On Friday 11th August, the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts was celebrated the event featured two competing groups, Ngonpa and Gyalu, with the Ngonpa group sweeping victory in all four categories.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering graced the occasion as the chief guest, accompanied by Yashbir Singh, Director, MEA and his wife attended as special guest, Mr. Hitesh Lakhanpal, Additional SP Kangra and Mr. Ram Swaroop were presence as guest of honor, and other Indian guests were attended the celebration. From the Tibetan side, Members of the 17th Tibetan Parliament, Secretaries of CTA departments, Director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives Geshe Lhakdor, heads of the local Tibetan Children’s Village and Sambhota schools, and representatives from regional Tibetan civil societies attended the annual cultural competition.
The event commenced with brief introductory remarks from the Director of TIPA, Dhondup Tsering, who have a speech on the theme of the anniversary. The ceremony was followed by the Mr. Tenzin Phunstok, artistic director, who introduced the jury members. The contest was held in a solo, chorus, and traditional folk dance and the Ngonpa team won.
Special guest gave presentation of appreciation Tibetan scarf and honorium to the Jury members followed up Thangtong Gyalpo’s statue and apprcietion certificate issued by Department of Religion and Culture – CTA by Sikyong to TIPA’s staff, Penpa Tsering, as a token of appreciation in recognition of the latter’s 20 years-long service at the institute and followed by given prize to the winner and runner up cup to both houses.
In his keynote address, chief guest Sikyong Penpa Tsering said, “As in every competition, winning and losing is part of the event, and it is natural for the losing side to feel disheartened. However, they showcased their best efforts this time, making it a remarkable event. I feel fortunate to have attended previous Yarkyi events, and this year, I noticed even greater dedication, hard work, and impressive performances. I believe the audience also appreciated and enjoyed the exceptional displays from both the groups.” Sikyong Penpa Tsering highlights his belief that the true essence of artistic performances lies in personal dedication and self-improvement rather than competition. He emphasizes that the primary goal for artists should be to focus on their craft and continuously strive to do their best. This perspective encourages participants to view their performances as a journey of personal and artistic growth, rather than merely a contest to outperform others.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering expresses deep gratitude and recognition for the tireless efforts of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the elder generations of exiled Tibetans. He acknowledges their crucial role in preserving and promoting Tibet’s unique cultural heritage. Their contributions have been instrumental in establishing cultural institutions and nurturing Tibetan artists, ensuring that the rich traditions and cultural identity of Tibet continue to thrive despite the challenges of exile. Sikyong’s words underscore the importance of honoring and continuing the legacy of these dedicated individuals in maintaining Tibetan culture. At the same time, Sikyong lauded the trending tradition of Tibetans worldwide celebrating Lhakar every Wednesday, which connects younger generations with their culture and encourages them to maintain Tibet’s unique culture.
The Kashag attaches great importance to promoting Tibetan culture not only in the political arena but also through the media of culture, sport, and the arts. I thank all the members of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts for their contribution to the preservation of Tibetan culture.
