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Shoton festival is a celebration that mark the end
of monk’s ‘Yarne,’ their hundred day summer retreat so as to avoid killings and
earning demerits during that hundred days. After finishing these days, the
local Tibetan laymen use to serve them yogurt, perform Tibetan opera and go for
picnics etc. Therefore this festival is also called YOGURT festival.
In exile, Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts took
the initiative in reviving this ancient festival. They would invite Tibetan
artist from the different settlement to show Opera at Dharamsala.
His holiness the Dalai Lama suggested them to hold
this festival in various settlements so that it can have a wider reach, especially
among the youngsters.
Therefore, this year under the direction of TIPA,
three places were selected to celebrate the festival: One at TIPA, second at
Norbuling and third at our school TCV Chauntra. Our school had the privilege of
hosting the Shoton Festival on 21th April till 23rd April. The festival saw
opera performances by some of the best troupes from three Tibetan settlements
located in India namely Bandara, Bylakuppee and Kollegal.
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| Shoton Festival 2018 |
On the very first day we had the honor of welcoming
his 12th Kenting Tai Situ Rinpoche, Ringu Tulku Rinpoche Bir,
Nyingma-pa- Monastery and Tulku Ugyen Topgyal Rinpoche to bless the festival to
bring good luck. As a special guest we invited the elderly people from old aged
home situated near our school under the nangchen division Chauntra.
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| Shoton in TCV Chauntra 2018 |
The view was extravagant; sky was filled with the
plumes of smoke from the juniper fire to greet the Rinpoches. Eager and
enthusiastic crowds along with the overly excited students with the thought of
not having to go to the class for three days jam-packed the school basket
ground and waited eagerly with hands
folded for the Rinpoche to arrive and begin the day long Opera show.
On 21st April 2018, Saturday at 2: 30 pm
the show began. To begin with, everyone was distributed curd followed by tea
and sweet rice as a mark of auspicious day. The artist did their best which
surely satisfied them and the viewers fully enjoyed the show. The laughter,
shouting and the sweet melodious sounds of the artist occupied the whole of
school. Tea and juices were in abundant. The day saw the extravagance of the
school. Most importantly the elderly people really had the best of the day for
these three days.
The day was the day to remember for the fun everyone
had, for the relax ion everyone felt, for the beauty of Opera show and the
gladness of getting audience from Rinpoche.
