By Tenzin Choephel
Phayul Correspondent
11th December 2006: With improvement in political situation of Nepal, it seems like Tibetans in Kathmandu are also getting their share with series of regular and all new amazing events showcasing Tibetan culture and tradition along with blend of other cultures to give an impression that Tibetans have indeed not only very well preserved their culture and traditions but also are keeping themselves abreast with cultures of the modern world.
A series of official and unofficial events marked the celebration of the 17th anniversary of Nobel Peace Prize Award to His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Kathmandu. Yesterday, the Drokpo Team and Ancient Culture Protection Center organized a fabulous first ever Tibetan fashion show in Nepal at the Shahenshah Hotel presenting a blend of traditional Tibetan costumes and Tibetan fashion collection by designer Tenzin Tsetan of Himalayan Couture.
Today, on the main day of celebration, hundreds of Tibetan gathered as usual at the courtyard of Samtenling Monastery of Boudha to celebrate the day beginning with ‘sangsol’ and prayers for long life of His Holiness, followed by a brief speech from Mr. Jigme La, Secretary of the Tibetan Welfare Office which included a statement from the Tibetan Cabinet ‘Kashag’ remembering the kindness of His Holiness, human rights situation in Tibet, the Nangpa La shooting incident etc. After the official ceremony, Tibetans in traditional costume, men and women, young and old made a big circle and as usual performed ‘gorshed’ or Tibetan community folk dances, a very Tibetan social event representing unity and integrity of the Tibetan society. In the afternoon many Tibetans walked for about ten minutes to Shelkar Choede Gaden Leksheyling Monastery in Jorpati where the Phaduk Welfare Association presented over 15 different folk dances of southern Tibet. There was one group of elderly Tibetan men and women in full Tibetan traditional costume dancing to the tunes of ‘dramnyen’ (Tibetan guitar), next all young men and women perform in similar fashion, you could definitely appreciate how well the Tibetan culture is preserved and passed on to younger generations. In the evening, the Dotö Chhugang Welfare Association organized the first ever Miss Dotö 2006 at the Rox Bar Garden of Hyatt Regency in Boudha amidst a glittering ceremony with special excellent song and dance performances by the five equally beautiful contestants and Miss Kunsang Chodon became the first Miss Dotö 2006, she is a 21 years old BBA student of Himalayan White House College in Kathmandu; probably one of the most eligible and ideal candidate for Miss Tibet 2007.
Usually in winter days, the Tibetan community of Kathmandu gets busy with lots of events and parties to celebrate this or that day, there are many official events and along with that many community and individual organizations organize different events; since last year there has been increase in such activities, there has been some criticism of some events also but all in all, we could not only observe a good growing trend of preserving and promoting Tibetan culture and tradition among young Tibetans who take keen interest but also notice that such events are enticing and encouraging those other young Tibetans who usually don’t participate in such cultural activities to voluntarily accept and participate in the revival of Tibetan culture glitterati.
