Khaita on Tibet Art Live
Prague, Tibet Open House
November 16th, 2024
On 16th November we were invited to Tibet Open House to dance at the Tibetan artistic afternoon, organized by Czechs Support Tibet and USA embassy.
This time we felt very responsible, moved and shaken, — tells Kateřina Drajsajtlová, one of Khaita dancers.
We were asked to open and perform in between the unique performances of singer Sonam Dolma, coming originally from nomadic culture in Amdo, poet and activist Tenzin Tsundue, who presented there the new Czech translation of his poetry book Kora and singer and musician Loten Namling, whose alternative rock band Porok Karpo arranged Tibetan songs, some of them are also in collections chosen by our dear Master (MfT 2.05 Yi Re Kyo, M 2.3.09 Tashi Jatson).
Beautiful video report provided by Czechs Support Tibet
We were asked to prepare one of the songs and dance together while Loten was singing. We have chosen the song Tashi Jatson. Clotilde Hubert with Petra Zezulkova adjust the original choreography from Tsering Dolker and Topgyal Gontse. Since the parts of steps were strictly connected to the singing parts, in the case there would be added some repetition more or less, we would be able to react to it and this way we were prepared for different musical arrangement.
That was the first experience of live dancing with a singer! We had many question marks. How we will manage on live with the singer himself? Will there be any chance to try it before the performance? We had only few minutes before the event started.
Once Loten entered in Tibet Open House, his energy immediately shined through the whole room. He was very friendly and simply shown us, what and how to do, we practiced few times together.
I must say it was the most joyful performance I ever participated, because dancing directly with the singer on the stage is vivid and really magical experience! We all enjoyed that very much.
When Loten Namling called us again on Monday 18th November and asked us to come and dance with him at the stage of Futurum Music Bar, where he had the concert with famous Czech singer Tomas Klus on occasion of anniversary of velvet revolution, we could not refuse and it filled our hearts with great joy! Part of our group, who lives in Prague went and danced there with him again.
The song-offering to Dalai Lama, whish also was sung by Loten Namling in movie “Looking for a Lady with Fangs and a Moustache” by Khyentse Norbu.
