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Sacred masked dance and music from Tibet
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- artist:Tashi Lhunpo Monks
- event type:Concert
- date:01 Oct 2023 - 07 Dec 2024
- city/area:Salisbury
- venue:Medieval Hall
- country:United Kingdom
- style(s):Tibetan, World
- event posted by:Tashi Lhunpo Monks
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FROM THE ROOF OF THE WORLD
Celebrating 100 Years of Tibetan Buddhist culture in the UK and Europe 1924-2024
One hundred years ago Buddhist monks from Tibet toured the UK for the first time, performing at screenings of Captain John Noel’s seminal silent film ‘The Epic of Everest’ documenting the unsuccessful summit attempt of 1924 which led to the tragic death of climbers Mallory and Irvine. The monks’ visit to the UK was arranged by the filmmaker without the permission of the Tibetan authorities and provoked the wrath of the 13th Dalai Lama as well as public outrage at what was perceived as a performance by ‘devil dancers’ on the London stage. The resulting scandal, known as ‘The Affair of the Dancing Lamas’ brought to an untimely end any further exploration of Everest by the British for almost a decade.
In 2024 a group of Tibetan monks will once again bring their culture to the UK, this time with the support of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, performing chant, music and masked dance in theatres and art centres throughout the country.
‘From the Roof of the World’ illustrates the contrast between 1920s religious orthodoxy and fear of the unknown with the freedom that Tibetan Buddhist monks now have to share their unique culture in the west a century later.
There are a number of different configurations available for performances in the 2024-25 tour depending on facilities available in venues. All shows will be two hours in length including a 20 minute interval. It is also possible to offer shorter performances by arrangement, and all programmes are open to discussion with promoters and dependent on film exhibition licences.
1. From the Roof of the World - Performance of Masked Dance and Sacred Music of the ‘dancing lamas’ of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. Flexible programme of costumed dance and Tibetan monastic music. Suitable for all venues. Tashi Lhunpo Monks plus Introducer.
2. Music from the Roof of the World - Programme including masked dance and music by monks from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery and either solo piano or a live chamber group performing music originally used for the silent film ‘Epic of Everest’.
3. Sights and Sounds From the Roof of the World - Programme including masked dance and music by monks from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery and either solo piano or a live chamber group performing music with film footage from ‘The Epic of Everest’ integrated into the performance.*
4. Gala Performance: A recreation of the 1924 screening of ‘The Epic of Everest’ with chamber group alongside the performance of masked dance and music by the Tashi Lhunpo Monks.*
* Subject to third party licences.
Alongside the performances, the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery UK Trust can offer:
• Workshops for adults and children, both performance and hands-on Buddhist art
• Sand mandala exhibitions
• Photographic exhibition
• Associated talks on mountaineering, silent film etc