The 13th Shoton opera festival begins today in the Tibetan settlement of Doeguling, Mungod. Thousand of laymen and residents of the settlement turn up for the opening ceremony, in addition festival witnessed attendance of over thousand of monks from Gaden monastery, Drepung monastery and other monasteries. Presiding as Chief Guest, and speaking on the occasion Venerable Kunchok Paksam, the former Abbot of the Drepung Loselling dwelled on the historical origin of this ancient opera festival. Mrs. Kalsang Youdon Dagpo, the Director of Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts also briefed the congregation on the origin of the festival and the importance of this traditional heritage. Each opera company performed the customary 45-minute premiere opera extract before the assembled crowed.

Of the nine opera companies in exile Diaspora, only six opera companies were able to participate in this year opera festival, which includes Mungod, Kalimpong, Bandhara, Bylakuppe, Mainpat and Tibetan institute of Performing Arts. From tomorrow onwards, each opera company is scheduled to perform the whole operatic repertoire.

The main aim and objective of this festival is to promote and preserve the traditions of Tibetan opera. "Through this festival we are able to bring together all opera enthusiast from various settlements and also provide them with a platform to show off their talents and skills" says Mr.Lobsang Samten, the Artistic Director of Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts. He further adds that this mass interaction of artiste also helps in educating the youngsters and future artiste on the basic and fundamentals of the operatic tradition.

Despite the heat, people sat glued to their seat laughing and cheering as each character simulated amusing and entertaining performances. Each opera performance during the day will be followed by a musical presentation in the evening by the artiste of Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts at the main settlement auditorium. The 13th Shoton Opera festival is scheduled to formally conclude on the 15th of March 2007. The reception for the participants has been very generous with various monasteries, camp leaders, co-operative and settlement officers' coming forward with offer of hosting lunch for the artistes during the festival.

The festival of sounds and music has captivated the hearts and minds of Doeguling residents. Many of the enthralled audiences, particularly senior monks and elderly, who attended the opening ceremony, expressed immense joy being a part of this prominent secular festival. The audiences kept on cheering, laughing and weeping, as the artistes once again brought back the fond memories of good old days. In order to encourage people from participating, the entrance this time for the festival is free for all.