TibetCulture
 

Home > ART > Drama
 
 
From: Xinhua 2011-05-11 07:16:00
by:
Text size
600-year-old Tibetan opera survives changes

Boys wearing blue masks and bright yellow blouses make quick, whirly dance moves while girls on coronals gently wave their long sleeves, accompanied by simple drum beats.

This is a classic opening to a Tibetan opera. For 600 years it has been performed mostly by part-time farmers-turned-actors in an open space in front of festive village crowds, but now it is entering a college classroom.

Together with 17 classmates, 22-year-old Tseten Dorje has to practice this style of singing and dancing for at least two hours each day and, sometimes, for an entire whole day.

They are the first group of undergraduate students majoring in Tibetan opera at the Art School of Tibet University.

For centuries, the lyrics and melodies of the songs and dance movements in Tibetan opera were passed down from older actors to their apprentices.

Another Tseten Dorje, a 76-year-old Tibetan opera actor unrelated to the previously mentioned university student, did not enroll in a university course to learn about Tibetan opera. Instead, he learned from his parents.

He was born into a drama troupe and first went on stage at the age of eight.

"There were no textbooks on how to perform. It all depended on the memory and understanding of old actors," said the old man.

Compared to traditional teaching methods, the collegiate way of teaching the ancient art aims to not only train actors but also to foster future researchers, said Losang Choniyi, dean of the art school.

In 2008, the university opened the first undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Tibetan opera.

"Students will have a comprehensive understanding of Tibetan opera and traditional art rather than just performance," Losang Choniyi said.

Besides special training in singing, dancing, chanting and narration for Tibetan opera, the younger Tseten Dorje has taken classes on body training in modern dance, the history of Tibetan opera, music theory and Tibet's folk music and dance.

"Body training is the toughest because I started at the age of 19. It is really painful but it will lay a very good foundation for dances," he said.

 
[editor : ]
 
Save/Share
添加到百度搜藏
 
 
TibetCulture
Related Stories
 
· "Extinction of Tibetan culture" : absoluate fallacy
· Efforts intensified to free Tibetan antelopes from threat of poachers' gunshots
· 600-year-old Tibetan opera survives changes
· Inheritance of centuries-long Tibetan Opera
 
 
Features
 
 
  Most Popular
  • Asia's holiest mountain to see highest charity race ...
  • Tibetan Buddhism among Mosuo people
  • Railway to Tibet stands safety, environment tests
  • Nearly 20,000 Tibetan antelopes return to Hoh Xil
  • Former Tibetan serfs become millionaires
  • New Beijing-Tibet expressway project approved
  • Tibet builds national parks to woo international sig...
  • Tibet's import-export value in 2010 hits decade high
  •   CAPDTC News
  • CAPDTC hosts New Year reception
  • 11th Panchen Erdeni Qoigyi Gyibo donates and prays f...
  • Top Chinese political advisor meets attendees at CPA...
  • Top political advisor stresses protection of Tibetan...
  • Overseas Chinese urged to introduce Tibet in foreign...
  • CAPDTC: Newly-elected directors vow to protect Tibet...
  • Representatives at 2nd Conference of CAPDTC
  • New leadership elected in CAPDTC Executive Council
  •   Latest News
  • Life expectancy in Tibet nearly doubled over last si...
  • Tibetan culture closely tied with Han culture
  • Thangka embroidery of Khampa ethnic group
  • Gaze into new township
  • Lhoka local government trains unemployed with hand-s...
  • People amazed by great changes in Tibet over past 60...
  • Blooming flowers decorate Lhasa
  • Books released to mark Tibet's peaceful liberation
  •   Lesson Six: Family
      Hello, Everyone! Welcome to Learning Tibetan. In this lesson, we will learn some new words and sentences about family.
     
    TibetCulture
    About Us
    |
    Contact Us
    |
    Site Map
    |
    Legal Warning
    Copyright © China Association for Preservation and Development of Tibetan Culture ( CAPDTC )