His Holiness the Dalai Lama arriving at the Main Tibetan Temple courtyard to meet with opera singers participating in the Shoton Festival in Dharamshala, HP, India on 10 May 2025. Photo by Tenzin Choejor

Dharamshala: Almost 500 Tibetan opera performers and their supporters met His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the Tsuglagkhang courtyard today. They belonged to 14 groups who are attending the Sho-tön, the annual opera festival, at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA). Singing and dancing vigorously on either side of the aisle through the courtyard, Tashi Shölpa and Gyalu dancers welcomed His Holiness as he emerged through the gate to his residence. He walked steadily to his seat on the veranda below the temple, his right hand keeping time to the rhythm of the drums.

Dhondup Tsering, Director of TIPA offered a mandala and representations of the body, speech and mind of the Buddha. He presented TIPA’s annual written report to His Holiness and gave a short introductory talk.

“Since you were born in Tibet, the teaching has spread around the world. You are the compassionate one, Avalokiteshvara, may you live long. This year, which marks your 90th birthday, we’d li...