26 October 2009
Asian monks visit University for rare performance
Members of the public are invited to the University of Sheffield next week (3 November 2009) to witness a rare performance of masked dances and sacred chants, which will showcase the talents of a unique and endangered Asian culture.
The Tashi Lhunpo Monastery Monks will perform `The Power of Compassion´ as part of the University´s Autumn Concert Series.
The sacred world of Asia is filled with the chanting of Buddhist texts, the recitation of mantras, the ringing of bells, the clash of cymbals, the booming of the great long horns and the beating of drums. Eight Asian monks from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in India, offer a dramatic presentation of their unique sacred dances, music and prayers, with colourful traditional costumes and ceremonial masks.
Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, founded by the first Dalai Lama in the 15th Century, and the seat of the Panchen Lama, is one of the most important monasteries in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Now re-established in exile in South India, the monastery is once again becoming one of the major centres of learning, best known for its artistic tradition of masked dances and sacred music.
After the Tibetan national uprising that took place in 1959, a handful of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery monks along with many thousands of Tibetans escaped into India. The Monastery was then subsequently re-established in Bylakuppe in Karnataka State, India. With the induction of new recruits over the years, the Monastery today has about 250 monks. Most of the major monasteries are thriving, but Tashi Lhunpo is still facing difficulties, however through the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery's performances the monks share the unique Tibetan culture and their special monastic tradition with people in Europe and other parts of the world.
Critics have described the performances as "a window of time on to a magical universe of reincarnation and release", "a psychedelic whirl of chanting, dancing, drums, cymbals and processions" and "majestic and atmospheric."
Stewart Campbell, Concerts Manager at the University, said: "The University Concert Series is a keen promoter of World Music, and the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery Monks is probably one of our most daring, and eye-opening programmes to date. One not to be missed."
Tickets are priced £8, £5 (concessions), £2.50 (students/unwaged) and are available from the University of Sheffield Student´s Union Box Office, and the University of Sheffield Cash Office (both on Western Bank), online at www.sheffield.ac.uk/concerts , and by telephoning 0114 222 8777. Notes for Editors: For all non box office customer enquiries: 0114 222 0499, concerts@sheffield.ac.uk or www.sheffield.ac.uk/concerts
For further information on this, or any other concerts in the series, please contact: Mr Stewart Campbell, Concerts Manager, 0114 222 0499, s.campbell@sheffield.ac.uk
For further information please contact: Lauren Anderson, Media Relations Officer, on 0114 2221046 or email l.h.anderson@sheffield.ac.uk
« Return to news releases
|
