Tibetans to Mark 'Thank You India Day' in Bangalore

Friday, November 20, 2009

Tibet.net
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Bangalore: As a mark of gratitude to the government and people of India, Tibetans in exile will showcase Tibet's unique and dynamic cultural heritage in a three-day festival in the south Indian metropolitan city of Bangalore from 22 - 24 November 2009.

The Department of Information and International Relations and the Bangalore-based Office of Chief Representative of the Central Tibetan Administration will jointly organise the event.

Mr. Narendra Babu, Member of Legislative Assembly of Karnataka state, will inaugurate the festival on 22 November at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath.

The festival brings some of the most important Tibetan institutions together to showcase the Tibetan refugees' accomplishments in community building, education and cultural preservation and the preservation of Tibetan people's identity.

It will also showcase a film festival during which classic Hollywood films on Tibet like Kundun and other equally riveting documentary films such as 'Tibet: Cry of the Snowlion', 'Tibet: Murder in Snow and Unwinking Gaze', will be screened.

Well-known scholars will take part in panel discussion on India-Tibet Relations and give talks on Tibetan Buddhism, medicine and Tibet's environment. Noted writers and scholars, including Geshe Lhakdor will speak on 'Buddhism in the 21st Century', while Claude Arpi, an expert on Tibet, India and China studies, will participate in a panel discussion on 'India-Tibet Relations: Past and Present.'

There will be a free consultation for patients by traditional Tibetan doctors from the Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute. Dr. Dorjee Rabten Neshar, the senior consulting physician of the TMAI and the chairman of the Central Council of Tibetan Medicine, will speak on the unique features of Tibetan medicine and its contribution to the holistic health and harmony of modern society.

The children of TCV School at Bylakuppe Tibetan settlement will present cultural dances and songs.

The festival will showcase Tibetan Buddhist mask dance (Cham) and Buddhist chanting by Namdroling Palyul Monastery and Palden Tashi Gomang Monastery respectively. 

A photo exhibition titled ' Tibet's Journey in Exile by the Tibet Museum will be on display.

There will also be an exhibition on carpet weaving and thangka painting by Tibetan Dickey Larso Co-operative Society Ltd. Other exhibitions of organic produces from the Tibetan settlements and display of unique Sand Mandala by Gyudmey Monastery, will be worth watching.

Admission to visit the festival is free.