Saturday, January 18, 2014

Shen Yun

On Friday evening, soon after work, I hopped in my friend's hybrid new car to head toward Baltimore to see a Chinese traditional arts perfermance. This is unplanned and last minute decision on my part to break the monotonous daily routine for some fresh adventures and to charter a new territory. And I couldnt be merrier watching this fabulous authentic Chinese traditional dance and music show, by a troove of highly talented Chinese professionals artists.

The 30-40 miles of ride from D.C to Baltimore was fun and hilarious.  My friend's carefree handling of cell phone to set the nagivation while driving on high way prompted me to give him a lecture on the risk of multitasking with driving. While he accepts the danger of his unwarranted behaviour, he is little addicted to his smartphone, either it is playing a song and showing a picture or finding the direction.

To enable him focus on the road, we  chatted. Our lady friend who might be well beyond her middle age was jovial, and personal  and compassionate. She didnt want to leave any homeless guy approaching at the traffic light be ignored, and indeed on several occassions dish out a dollar for each with much sense of sympathy and sorry for them. The alms she gives appear to be more to accommolate her merits than to help the reciever of her generosity.

our conversations hovered around the virtues of contentment, the reality of life and the belief in Karma for unexepected turn of event in life, such as firing from work etc and thankfully we spared politics in our discourse. Either because of genertional gap or for some other reasons,  I find it interesting to glean from their talks, their passion in pastime.  Both appeared to be movie buffs.

 Their favourite past time is to turn to TV channels or youtube to listen songs, and sermons and watch movies. I almost felt that I was not in their league. But that didnt turn out to be true, because we all have a penchant for  Chinese tradition, culture and the language. That is why, our excitment for the show we are going was palpable.

it was thanks to our friend L's connection that secured us  free tickets for the show. Understandablly the two us took care of the parking fees and coffes before the performance. Boasting to showcase 5000 years of Chinese tradition in one night, Shenyun was indeed spectacular, and a feast for the eyes and ears. A show trail can be see at this link,
 http://www.shenyun.com/promo/shen-yun-video.php?utm_source=se&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=videos

Shenyun performing arts is an endevaour of Falung Gon to perserve the rich Chinese tradtion and customs, and besides to send a clear message via twin goals of raising awarnes and sensitizing the viewers on  the red Chinese government's brutality agasint their practitionars.

The show was mindblowing. A mastery of the finest performing arts, and a talents of the artists are superior. Through a combination of onstage performance and background digitalized screen, through syncronized aimation . The viewers are awed throughout by the agility and precision of the spotless  performance.  Each show is based on a Chinese lengendary tale, or a folklore with didantic lessons.

When I watch something nowadays, I am far more critical than I used to be. For me now interpretation is as important as entertainment. So whether it is a sole performance or a stage act,  the message and actions are designed to  conveyed virtues of Funlong practice and  deify and denigrate, slight the authoritarins.    For them, the fight with the red communist China is a matter of life or death. They minced no words on this.

Interestely through- out the show there was only one show of red colour in the form of  red dragon, that too was destroyed by the mythical Nata character, signifying good triumphing agasint evil. The lyrics of the sole are in praise of Funlong practice. The physical stamina and strength and fitiness of the performers are indications of the result of Fulung pratice, then the audience got it.

I find the their show in conveying the message to the audience are very effective. it is powerful with high potential to impact all viewers.  Media and performing arts are two chosen vehicle to advance their issues and criticize the Chinese communist party. They are doing it very effectively by pouring a mass amount resources on them.    With their similarities in the struggle for freedom for both Tibetan and Chinese people.   Tibetan people should be so proud to have a their charismatic and undisputed leader the Dalai Lama, whose words and wisdom surpases all other vial means of struggle.





 







 

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Party With Purpose

The New Year Eve party organized by the Tibetan Sunday School parents was a "resounding" success, so claimed by the organizing committee. if the party was deemed to be a success, it could be because of the turn out, the show items, and the food.

Turn out:
The party was held at a familiar location. The last time I recall of such a well attended audience in that hall was one of the first Tibetan wedding event I went. The good draw of people was largely because of the prior ticket sales. Any event to be successful, it must be well planned and executed. The New Year Eve party was planned well ahead by a team of organizing committee lead by the Sunday School president, Mr. Lhundup.
Through the division of labour, the required task of the party was evenly assigned. Though I could not take part in the preparatory meeting , but my share of the work was to prepare food and sell tickets. Which I have done dutifully.Flyers are put out on facebook to advertise the New Year bash. Tickets are printed, the parents are tasked to sell minimum 10 tickets. The ticket selling in advance, has many advantages. Those purchasing tickets are compelled to attend, otherwise the money goes to donation for the parents association.Having the tickets in advance, served an incentive to attend.

As the turn out was good, so was the item shows one after another. My little daughter took part in the Tibetan alphabet sing  song with a group. Dressed in her sparking Tibetan chupa, she really looks beautiful.
The praise and applause heaped on Kunsal by friends and acquaintance  was above my ability to count. When at the stage,she was standing in front, because of being the smallest child. As the background music blared, the first grade students sang along the music, and it sounds interesting and melodic. Twitching her head and swaying her torso, Kunsal assumed a serious facial countenance. Do kid never smile at a party night?

Among other entertainments show, one of the girl's Indian dance was spectacular. The students in four different section put on variety show.  One most memorable show of the night, was obviously stole by flutes played by two adult students. it was beautiful and fantastic showcase of their  talent. While for the students, who stand up on the stage to announce or dance, have received positive reaction from the audience. For some it could be the night of a life changing experience and moment. 

Thanks to the enthusiastic responses of the organizing committees and the students, the audience turn out was far better than anything I could  think of. The hall's capacity has almost fully filled.

Not only the regular Capital Areas Tibetans are the sole attendants, they are many new faces in the crowd. Those include, many injis. Parents came with their little ones. and the children played joyfully in the hall.

As the entertainment draw to a close, the super prepared by the parents was sumptuous. it was amazing that the home prepared food serve the entire people in the hall. The food was plenty, and delicious. That have done the work of taking care of party-goers appetite. A stroll down to the end of hall, you reach to a bar counter, where party revelers boozing.    


Ms. Tenzin Yangchen, a local Tibetan amateur photographer has captured all glamor and glittering of the new year celebration party. Through her lens, the cheerful well -clad party-goers are shot. The well decorated hall looks superb in the snaps.  Some of our friends shot several pictures of me and my wife and other friends, turn out fabulous. Those become  a facebook favourit photos..

When this Sunday, the organizing committee accounted the party event.  They have a positive balance sheet, to the profit of over a thousand dollar. So was the New year party as resounding success. I bet it was in its own term.  This demonstrated the power of coming together hand in hand and the beauty of community building.