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TIPA is about fifteen minutes' walk from McLeod Gunj. Established in
1959, TIPA was the very first institution in exile. It is the home
of lhamo, the arrestingly colourful and unique folk opera of Tibet.
TIPA preserves a wide repertoire of musical, dance and theatrical
traditions from Tibet. To balance the weight of tradition in its
repertoire, the institute has a modern Theater Troupe which puts on
contemporary plays. TIPA also maintains its own workshops for making
costumes, masks and musical instruments. TIPA trains instructors who
are sent out to teach music and the performing arts at schools and
settlements throughout India and Nepal. It also runs a schools where
a mix of modern academic and traditional Tibetan education is
provided to children who are, in addition, trained in Tibetan music,
dancing and acting from an early age. Of late, TIPA has started a
special programme to teach the Tibetan performing arts to
non-Tibetans TIPA holds an annual Folk Opera Festival in April. A
number of folk operas, dance programmes, plays and concerts are
presented on this occasion. It is always an exciting time to be in
Dharamsala. On important national holidays throughout the year other
performances are given. |
