One can see the Tibetan prayer flags fluttering in the air at the balcony of the Alliance Française here in chennai. Hot steaming Momos and delicious Chowmein greeted those who went to the first floor, a Tibetan shop set up by Mrs Pema from Pondicherry attracted a lot of curious onlookers many of whom turned into customers.
Momos and chowmein and the colours of Tibet were a delightful assault on the senses at the Alliance Française, Chennai. One melody from the performance by members of TSAM ( Tibetan Student’s Association Madras) is still haunting me. It is not often one gets to hear a tune that tells so much about something, even if you don’t understand a word of what the lyrics say.
The events started around 11am on Friday, July 4th when the makeshift kitchen began to roll out momos and chowmein, and those who have tasted Tibetan food before stormed the food counter; and those who have not tasted a momo before went reluctantly to the stalls but were rewarded with the blistering spicy taste of the momos and went back asking for more.
The programme in the auditorium at the Alliance Française began around four in the afternoon. The Tibetan monks arrived to the sound of trumpets and began weaving the deep sounding chants, which were followed by everyone offering a white scarf in front of the picture of the Dalai Lama. The yak is the symbol of the TSAM, and a short yak dance was performed to the delight of everyone. It was followed by songs sung by members of TSAM. The songs were melancholy and the singers sang with their hearts. Since it was the 73rd birthday of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, there was a short reading of a brief essay about the life of The Dalai Lama. The evening finished with a screening of the film “ Kundun” by Martin Scorsese.
I wish events like this involving the Tibetans would happen more in this city, as Tibet has a fascinating culture, and the Tibetans strive to preserve it. Thanks to the Alliance Française and TSAM for giving us such a wonderful weekend.
Momos and chowmein and the colours of Tibet were a delightful assault on the senses at the Alliance Française, Chennai. One melody from the performance by members of TSAM ( Tibetan Student’s Association Madras) is still haunting me. It is not often one gets to hear a tune that tells so much about something, even if you don’t understand a word of what the lyrics say.
The events started around 11am on Friday, July 4th when the makeshift kitchen began to roll out momos and chowmein, and those who have tasted Tibetan food before stormed the food counter; and those who have not tasted a momo before went reluctantly to the stalls but were rewarded with the blistering spicy taste of the momos and went back asking for more.
The programme in the auditorium at the Alliance Française began around four in the afternoon. The Tibetan monks arrived to the sound of trumpets and began weaving the deep sounding chants, which were followed by everyone offering a white scarf in front of the picture of the Dalai Lama. The yak is the symbol of the TSAM, and a short yak dance was performed to the delight of everyone. It was followed by songs sung by members of TSAM. The songs were melancholy and the singers sang with their hearts. Since it was the 73rd birthday of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, there was a short reading of a brief essay about the life of The Dalai Lama. The evening finished with a screening of the film “ Kundun” by Martin Scorsese.
I wish events like this involving the Tibetans would happen more in this city, as Tibet has a fascinating culture, and the Tibetans strive to preserve it. Thanks to the Alliance Française and TSAM for giving us such a wonderful weekend.
to watch a video of one of my favorite songs from the festival please visit http://youtube.com/watch?v=6SS2D3VAhOM
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