ABOUT TIPA

The Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts is the only institute of its kind in exile.
TIPA was founded in India in August 1959 following the flight into exile of one hundred thousand Tibetan refugees escaping the Chinese occupation of their country. In Tibet, the Chinese "Liberation Army" began to attack every aspect of the people's lives. In the freedom of exile, Tibetan sought means to preserve that identity. TIPA was the first of the various institutions to be established by His Holiness the Dalai Lama's government in-exile for this purpose. The refugee community contributed what it could in the way of performers and costumes, mostly suptuous brocade robes which were useless for a life in exile. The TIPA troupe became a major surce of entertainment in the refugee camps and stage numerous performances of the traditonal Lhamo Operas. The lively, daylong performances brought colour, laughter and a reminder of home into the otherwise hopeless and dreary lives of newly bereft refugees.

Today, TIPA is a vibrant and creative institute, well established in its position in pictresque Dharamsala, the home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government-in-exile.
Approximately 120 people live and work within the institute's campus, artistes, trainees, teachers, administrators, crafts-people, cooks and care-givers. Everyone works with a clear sense of direction, towards the preservation of our ancient culture.

WHAT DOES TIPA DO?
Apart from the other traditional performing arts, TIPA痴 main responsibility is the preservation of the ancient arts from known as Lhamo, or Tibetan Opera. TIPA is the primary vestige of knowledge and information regarding Lhamo in exile. There are small Lhamo associations based in the various settlements throughout India and Nepal, and each year, TIPA invites these groups to participate in the annual event in Lhasa prior to 1959.

Essential to fulfilling the aims of the institute is the training of the younger generation of artistes: The institute痴 Department of Artistes and Training has developed a syllabus that meet all requirements for the instruction and assessment of our artistes. Training is given in voice training, folk song and dance, opera theory and practice and musical instruments.

TIPA is responsible for the Teachers of Music and Dance who will take up posts in the Tibetan schools in exile. Up to this point, TIPA has trained 120 dance and music teachers. Education and care is given to the twenty-three talented students in TIPA痴 Cultural School. Selected from various Tibetan Settlements, the children are trained to perform certain ritual dances that tradition states can only be performed by young children. The Cultural School students also study a normal academic curriculum to ensure them a balanced education.

TIBETAN PERFORMING TRADITIONS
Music, dance and performing hold an important place in the lives of Tibetan people. Perhaps the most well known musical traditions are those which developed alongside religion ; the mesmerising chants, bells and horns. However, such is the value of the performing arts for Tibetan people that it,.. found universal expression not only in the rituals of the church, or the ceremonies of the rulers, but in almost every aspect of the common Tibetan. (Norbu 1986:1)

Tibetan have song for almost every ocassion, whether it be a wedding, the drinking of beer, or mundane activities such as ploughing or harvesting. An oral culture for so long, much knowledge was passed on through songs. Saints such as Milarepa and the 16th Dalai Lama helped the lay people understand complicated Buddhist philosophy by writing songs in the common people's language. A tradition of "street songs" in Lasa developed to allow open criticism of the government and aristocracy, in fact there are still songs of this genre surviving that comment on the British invasion in 1904. Dancing is popular throuhgout Tibet, the style of which varies from region to region. In Lhasa, for example, the people favour a quick-stepping rhythmic style, whilst in Kham (eastern Tibet) they prefer grander, more elaborate movements.

　　　[ HOME ]　[ MY SELF ]　[ ABOUT TIPA ]　[ PROJECT ]　[ PICTURE ]　[ TOURS ]　[ REQUIREMENT ]