Rebirth of the legendary opera

To salvage and preserve the threatened unique Tibetan art, a nationwide rescue program was launched in recent years.

Now, most village troupes can perform their Eight Great Classical Operas, and Tibetan Opera plays an active role in all kinds of national theatrical works competitions. Benefited from modern media advances, VCDS, DVD and CD-Rom, etc. of Tibetan opera have been issued. With the help of the government, Tibetan Opera have toured Japan, the United States and other countries and is seen as a treasure of Chinese ethnic art.

Tibetan Opera returned to Qomolang Village in 2002, with the re-establishment of the current village troupe by local government and people.

You can always find an old man active in the training of the new troupe. He is Grandpa Dorje, 66 years old. The old man gets excited each time talking about the day in 1964 when he performed at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing . "Most of the 28 young performers have never received any training in the performing art, but I believe they can succeed."

To the village head Gaisang Nyima, "as the standard of living improves, we are demanding a richer cultural life".

It was fortunate that the legendary Tibetan Opera with strong Tibetan characteristics has been preserved in an intact way throughout history. The government of China's Tibetan Autonomous Region is busy preparing for Tibetan Opera to be listed as a "Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" by the United Nations' Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The UNESCO proclaimed Kunqu Opera -- the oldest opera with a history of over 1,000 years -- a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2001. However, no ethnic art tradition has been honored since then.

Today, Tibetan Opera is also becoming increasingly recognized in other parts of China and beyond. The opera has toured Japan, the United States and other countries, where it is regarded as a treasure of Chinese ethnic art.

Basang, an actress with the Tibetan Opera Troupe, said with great enthusiasm. "Tibetan Opera has a very large audience, not only in Tibet, but in other parts of China and across the world. Although many of the audience can't understand the lyrics, they can understand the performances through the songs and dances. I'm optimistic about the future of Tibetan Opera."