Tibetan theatre

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People have China and Tibet tourmust be interested in the unique culture as well as the beautiful scenery. Today we will say something about the Tibetan opera.



In Tibetan pronunciation Tibetan opera is called "Ache Lhamo" which means "the fairy sisters". It is said that at first Tibetan opera was performed by seven sisters and most of the troupe were involved Buddhist myth. In fact, Tibetan opera Originated the religious art in eighth Century. From 17 century the Tibetan opera separated from monastic Religious rites and gradually formed the performance of mainly singing combined reading, dancing and reciting full of life style. The high-pitched and forceful singing which melody based on the performers needs others join in singing together.



Tibetan opera is a large drama system and has lots of styles and schools because of the differences of natural conditions, living customs, traditional culture and local languages in Qinghai-Tibet plateau.That's why it in called "the living fossil" for Tibetan culture. Performers always wear only one cloth till the perform finished. They mainly performed with mask. Tibetan opera has different colors with different meaning. The blue one is main stream.



The kind hearted role wears white mask represents pure heart, Kings wear red mask represent solemn power, princess wears green mask represents gentle trait, living Buddha wears yellow mask represents auspicious position, sorceress wears black and white mask represents she likes playing a double game, demon wears mask with livid face and long teeth represents Repression and terror, the old villager wears white cloth mask with three holes represents simple and honest mind.



Tibetan opera always has three parts. The first one is "Dun" mainly worships god with singing and dancing which means the performance starts. The second part "Xiong" is the legend playing. The third part "Tashi" means blessing and welcome the happiness.



If the traveler has Lhasa travel will go there by Tibetan Railway, he may watch Tibetan opera in Qinghai where there is also an area for Tibetans. If he choose train from Beijing to Lhasa, he can first have a view of Peking Opera and if he decide his Chengdu to Lhasa travel, he can enjoy the Sichuan Opera before he get Tibet.

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