New York, October 23: A huge Tibetan celebration on October 20 in one of New York’s busiest places, the 14th Street Union Square, in honour of the awarding of the US Congressional Gold Medal to His Holiness the Dalai Lama was worth an attention for many onlookers.
Tibetans in colourful traditional costumes and traditional song and dance performances for the first half of the day kept the audiences and bystanders entertaining as Tibetans celebrated in full spirit.
The evening program was held in a huge hall, which went packed to the full. Performances from various Tibetan groups and singers dazzled the audience and onlookers with their bright colorful traditional dresses. Tourists as well as local New Yorkers got a taste of Tibetan music and dance, and remained thrilled by the rich and exotic traditional Tibetan dresses.
Tibetan songs from classical to modern times and several traditional dances were performed. Magnificent Yak dance and, narrative Ralpa (Tibetan Gypsy dance) and sprightly Dro dance performed by small kids from Sunday school were special treat of the day. Tibetan tradition has it that in Ralpa dance, dancers wander around from place to place spreading news and information through their unique song and dance.
“Sunday School” kids, as they are called, learn Tibetan language, music, dance and religion every weekend. It is an effort by Tibetans in New York to keep the young ones closely intact with the rich and ancient cultural heritage of Tibet in the face of full exposure to western culture.
Renowned international Tibetan singers like Yangchen Lhamo, Techung and Tsegon presented special numbers.
Cholsum Doegar (meaning three provinces of Tibet) of New York performed a unique dance representing all the three provinces; U-tsang, Kham and Amdo. The group also performed deer and yak dance. Several songs and dances such as nangma toeshe and ngoenpa doe were performed ex-TIPA (Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts) members to the tune of Tibetan lute. Tashi Sholpa, a popular auspicious yogic dance was performed by Cholsum Doegar at the opening function.
Ladakh Phuntsok sang his popular song namo namo, which is in praise of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and drew huge response from the crowd. Two lovely young Tibetan girls from New York – Tenzin Kunsel and Tenzin Dolma sang their newly composed songs in celebration of the Gold Medal.
Rejoicing over addition of another milestone in the history of Tibetan freedom struggle, Tibetans in New York successfully gathered for one of the biggest celebrations of all times.
The US Congressional Gold Medal to His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the most significant honour since the Tibetan leader was first awarded the Nobel Peace prize in 1989 for his effort to meaningfully resolve the Tibet issue through peaceful non-violent approach.
As President Bush said, “Americans cannot look to the plight of the religiously oppressed and close our eyes or turn away”; Tibetans here in New York demonstrated beauty of the rich cultural heritage of Tibet by celebrating the day in true traditional Tibetan style.
Based on report filed by RTYC NY & NJ
