The Shoton Festival, literally known as “Yoghurt Festival” originated in Drepung monastery, Tibet in the 1830s to mark the end of monks’ summer retreat, where the Ache Lhamo (Tibetan equivalent of opera) troupes were invited to perform at the monastic courtyard. As they performed, the monastery served yoghurt to monks and devotees. The festival later flourished widely throughout Tibet and in particular during the reign of the Gaden Phodrang Government. This event is still popularly celebrated in and outside of Tibet as an important festivity and unique tradition in Tibetan culture.

Since the exiled Tibetan Community settled in India, Tibetans have tried to preserve this unique and authentic tradition on the advice of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, by organising the First Grand Shoton Festival in India in 1993, which now reached it’s 20th anniversary this year.

This year, the 20th Grand Shoton Opera Festival was organised in Dharamsala and began with the presence of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama as chief guest at the opening ceremony with other important dignitaries and audience members to witness the short synopsis of opera stories showcased by the performing troupes.

The 20th Grand Shoton Opera Festival took place from the 27th of March till the 5th of April, 2015 for ten days on the grounds of the  Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA), Dharamsala to celebrate the rich tradition of Ache Lhamo.

A ritual dance called ‘Ngonpai Don’ was performed by the members of artistes from the remote Solo Khumbu region of Nepal as an opening act intended to purify and bless the stage. Following this, each of the troupes performed the customary extract from their operatic repertoire. Around 5,000 people with different nationalities eagerly turned up for this opening ceremony to observe the unique cultural performances.

A special audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama was granted for the festival participants during lunch break, which was followed by a short meeting with the  heads of all the opera troupes and instructors.

Twelve different troupes participated in this year’s festival and performed different opera pieces-The Tibetan Homes Foundation from Uttarkhand performed Khen Lob Choesum; the Kalimpong Tibetan Opera Association performed Sukyi Nyima; Doeguling Opera Association, Mundgod performed Nangsa Woebum; Phuntsokling Tibetan Opera Assicaion, Odisha performed Khewu Pema Woebar; Norgyaling Cholsum Opera Association, Poanta performed Drowa Sangmo; Tibetan Opera Performing Arts, Bylakuppe, performed Jowo Jhe Palden Atisha; Phendeling Opera Association, Chattisgarh, performed Gyalpo Jikten; Nepal Tibetan Lhamo Association, Kathmandu, performed Chaksam-Life of Yogi Thang Thong Gyalpo; Shar Khum Gyache Lhamo Tsokpa, Nepal, performed ritual dance “Ngonpai Don”; Tibetan Children’s Village School Chuantra, Himachal Pradeshi , performed Milarepa and TIPA performed Toenpai Zenam on the last day.

These playful storytelling performances are not only entertaining but are also interwoven with morals, values and virtues that culminate at the end of the act and can be easily understood and enjoyed by lay people.

Over 420 participants including opera artistes took part in this year’s opera performances. The 20th Shoton Opera Festival saw three new troupes making their debut opera performances. These are the Dhondenling Opera Association, Tibetan Children’s Village School Chuantra and Sharkhum Gyache Lhamo Tsokpa (Nepal).

The Festival successfully concluded with a word of thanks from Mr. Pema Choejor, Minister of Culture and Religion and Mr. Lobsang Samten, Artistic Director of TIPA extending towards each and every organization including the sponsors and participating troupes for their tremendous contributions.

The Dalai Lama trust funded this program to supplement the travel allowances and lodging fees for the performing troupes-each of which consists more than 30 people. Organising this artistic and unique tradition of celebrating Ache Lhamo is also a very important initiative to preserve Tibetan cultural heritage and its identity in exile, which His Holiness the Dalai Lama considers to be one of the core responsibilities of all Tibetans living in India as well as around the world. We were pleased to make some contributions towards this program in its celebration, preservation and continuation of the rich traditions of Tibet.

Program Schedule

Day 1: Opening Ceremony

Day 2: Khen Lob Choesum by THF School Mussoorie

Day 3: Sukyi Nyima by Kalimpong Tibetan Opera Association

Day 4: Nangsa Woebum by Mundgod Opera Association Doegueling

Day 5: Khewu Pema Woebar by Phuntsokling Tibetan Opera Association

Day 6: Drowa Sangmo by Norgayling Cholsum Opera Association

Day 7: Jowo Jhe Palden Atisha by Tibetan Opera Performing Arts Bylakuppe

Day 8: Gyalpo Jikten By Phendeling Opera Association

Day 9: Chaksam Nepal Tibetan Opera Association

Day 10: Toenpae Zenam By Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts