Tibetans Play Music to Protest Leader's Execution
(By Pawan Sharma | Hindustan Times | November 30, 2004)
Dharamsala:
The increasing anxiety of Tibetans regarding the
impending execution of their religious leader Tulku Tenzin Delek,
manifested into a novel and creative method of protest on late Sunday
evening. While the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) has already launched a
campaign at McLeodganj, including a relay hunger strike, a group of
youth belonging to different Tibetan NGOs brought together a large
gathering of people at the abode of the Dalai Lama to protest China's
death sentence in a different style — though a music concert.
Solveigh Nielson, a Danish pianist and singer, lends her voice for Tibet
Brainchild of Regional Tibetan Youth Congress of Dharamsala,
Friends of Tibet (India), and Students For A Free Tibet (India),
about 25 singers and musicians too lend support to the cause,
drawing local people as well as foreign tourists.
The official Tibetan music band of Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA)
broke the ice with a scintillating song dedicated to the life and sacrifice of Tulku.
Besides local bands like JJI Exile Brothers, there were musicians from
Denmark and Scotland. Local Indian band Badal too joined
enthusiastically to stand up with their Tibetan guests.
Poetess and former Miss Tibet Tsering Kyi reads her poems
dedicated to the freedom struggle in Tibet,
particularly to Tulku Tenzin Delek Rinpoche.
After the music it was time for poetry reading and story telling about
the prison life of ex-political prisoners who had escaped from Tibet
recently. "We have to devise new ways to keep the struggle alive,"
said a young Tibetan.
One of the organisers, a youth leader and writer Tenzin Tsundue said,
"The power of music brings people together and there has been a strong
tradition of protesting through music all over the world."
All in all, a big crowd hustled together on a late chilly evening,
making a strong case for the release of Tulku, but in an ingenious way.
'Freedom Concert'
was organised by the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress
in association with the Students for a Free Tibet and
Friends of Tibet (India)
in Dharamshala
on November 30, 2004.
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