By Woeser Tsering Gyalnang
Toronto, April 23 – The Canada Tibet Committee, Toronto branch organised an awareness event called the Panchen Lama Freedom Concert at the historic Club Matador. The event had delicious Tibetan food, a showing of the Panchen Lama documentary, Stolen Child, and tables for petition and information.
The evenings concert featured wonderful performances by Canadian singer/songwriter Brent Titcomb, the TCPC, Ex TIPA artists; Lobsang Gyatso and Tenzin Yangzom accompanied by Yangzom, the beautiful Hindi vocals by Yishey Choden and the amazing vocals of Kephun Chazotsang from Calgary whose new song about Tibet “The Freedom Song” was a big hit.
The highlight of the evening was the first ever performance by the new Tibetan rock band Sontsa (seed). Their unique bluesy/rock sound completely surprised and amazed the audience, and had everyones toes taping. Sontsa is Tsering Paljor Purpatsang, Tashi Eugyal and Tashi Wangdu. They performed new versions of some classic Tibetan rock songs from Mr. Purpatsang’s former band, Rangzen Shoenu. Songs such as “Bhoe Ki Drokpa”, “Tashi Delek Shoe” and “Rangzen” had the audience singing long and had many transported back to the good old days when they were in school in India. The blues riffs and the rock tempo which is the core of the sound of this new Tibetan band totally rejuvenated these songs, captivating young and old alike.
Though it rained through out the day of the concert, the couple of hundred people who attended had a great time, helping raise awareness for the Panchen lama’s plight.
All in all it was a very successful event with many petitions filled, some money raised for the CTC and the Tashi Lhunpo Monestary, and even got some injis humming the tune of “Tashi Delek Shoe” on their way out of the venue.
