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Khaita on Tibet Art Live in Prague

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.

This time we felt very responsible, moved and shaken, because 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).

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. Also 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 Czech musicians 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.

Kateřina Drajsajtlová

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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.

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Events

Dancing on beneficent auction in Prague

Khaita on beneficent auction

Prague, Tibet Open House
November 5th, 2024

We had a wonderful opportunity to participate in beneficent auction, organized at the occasion of 20th anniversary of MOST ProTibet, a charity association, supporting of Tibetan people and culture, including education of children, improving life conditions of elderly seniors, nomads and monks in exile.

Most of the precious objects proposed for the auction where donated by Ladakh families, and the profit went to support the hundred of Tibetan children living in Ladakh.

During the event we performed 3 dances to cheer up public.

After the auction we closed the event with small workshop, when we danced together simple kordros with participants.

We were very happy to become a part of this joyful and successful event.

Text by Kateřina Drajsajtlová, Clotilde Hubert, Nadiia Gnatenko

Photos by Lukáš Masner 

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Events

Khaita at the International Seminar of Young Tibetologists, Oxford

Khaita at the International Seminar of Young Tibetologists, Oxford

Wolfson College, Oxford
September 2–4th, 2024

In the begining of September Khaita Joyful Dances were presented on The International Seminar of Young Tibetologists at Wolfson College, Oxford. On the seminar an academic talk on Dzamlingar Song and Dance was given by Eva Leick. The talk was started with demonstration of the dance by our dancers.

The evening program of the conference included Khaita performance, done by Khaita dancers together with Tibetan dancer Tenzin from London. The performance was followed by 3-hour Gorshey, Tibetan circle dances, danced together by Tibetans and Khaita dancers.

The seminar was followed by art exhibition with Drugu Chögyal Rinpoche’s paintings on the Bardo. An introductory speech on Khaita given there by Lena Dumcheva was translated on Tibetan, and also materials and books for further study were provided to listeners.

Outside the exhibition there were also Khaita performance, followed by dancing several Khaita dances together with audience.

More details and videos about the event will follow very soon!

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Children performance in senior house in Czech Republic

Children performance in senior house

Planá nad Lužnicí (Czech Republic)

June 18th, 2024

On June 18th a group of girls from Planá nad Lužnicí primary school performed several Khaita dances for elderly in Planá nad Lužnicí senior house.

The performance was prepared by Martina Krejčová:

“We danced mostly dances learnt by girls last year. One dance, Meypo Dranlu, was new for us. And most of the girls danced last year, one just short time and one girl is completely new to Khaita.

In the beginning I showed people the infinite knot and talked about symbol of Khaita and gave a few symbols to them so they could follow the line with their finger. I think they were very happy and enjoyed it.

The last dance, Tashi Dangpo, we danced with collaboration with the audience. Passing  the khatags to each other was a great experience for all of us. It was really touching.

Also the lady who is in charge of the Senior House told me that she was really touched. And me too.

We received presents from the Senior House – a paper notebook for drawing, a pencil and socks with logo of the town Planá nad Lužnicí. When we came back to our school one girl started immediatelly drawing a picture for seniors – a beautiful rose, which was delivered to them next day.

Names of the girls are Dana Shten (her parents are  from Ukraine), Lilien Habichová, Barbora Kostrůnková, Eliška Válková and Barbora Trachtová.

The girls are 12 years old.

We are invited for Christmas because they have every year some performances so we will become one of them.”

 

 

The performed dances with links to learning materials are below:
 
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Losar 2024

Losar 2024

Happy New Year of the Wood Dragon!​

Khaita Wood Dragon, watercolour by Cindy Faulkner

The Tibetan dragon (or Druk) is a symbol of power and of hidden, intangible knowledge. Being invisible, he manifests himself through sound and energy. The dragon thunders in the sky with the sound of compassion that awakens us from delusion and increases what we can understand through hearing. Thus, it is said that dragons bring forth our awareness towards the things that we cannot see.

“When spring begins, one hears thunderstorms. Live on! When this happens, rain falls, and rain is very important for nature, for maturing and for life. And rainbows, lights, and colours appear everywhere. … thunder, rain, and rainbows appear, which are all typical manifestations of the dragon.”
— from Chögyal Namkhai Norbu’s commentary to the song Ema Lha Gyallo

Losar is a great time for dancing and singing to bring fortune and peace to the new year. Below are videos and photos from this year Losar performances and celebrations.

Venice Dragon

Khaita performance in Prague Tibetan House

Losar celebration in France