Two new dramas discovered in Tibet

In 2017, the Tibet Autonomous Region Institute of Art began to conduct a census of local operatic drama in the region. After a year of collecting data, two new operas, the Bagong Opera and the Sherpamani Opera, were discovered. Up to now, there are six kinds of local operatic dramas in the region, including the existing White Mask Tibetan Opera, Blue Mask Tibetan Opera, Chamdo Tibetan Opera, and Moinba Opera.

Bagong Opera is popular in Mabu Township, Sagya County, Shigatse City. In addition to its long history, it also has a complete dramatic structure and performance style as well as unique arias, masks, costumes, and dancing moves. Sherpamani Opera is handed down in Zhentang Town, Dinggye County, Shigatse City. This opera is usually performed from the first to the eighth day of the twelfth Tibetan calendar month. The performance repertoire, are “Prince Nuosang”, “Maiden Langsa”, and “Drimed Kunden”, which come from the Eight Traditional Tibetan Opera. Although performances last for eight days, only one opera is performed per year.

Numu, director of the Tibet Autonomous Region Institute of Art, said, “During the census, we discovered a total of 145 Tibetan opera troupes: three folk performance troupes of the White Mask Tibetan Opera, 138 folk performance troupes of the Blue Mask Tibetan Opera, one folk performance troupe of the Chamdo Tibetan Opera, one folk performance troupe of the Bagong Opera, one folk performance troupe of the Moinba Opera, and one folk performance troupe of the Sherpamani Opera.