Mask Dances of Bhutan - 4671 Words

Mask Dance (Cham) Classical dances in Bhutan are reflected in the religious mask pageants and ritual dances. With the introduction of Buddhism in the 8th century AD by Guru Padmasambhava from Tibet, ritual and mask dances gained roots in the Bhutanese system as part of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition. With the birth of the great Terton (treasure revealer) Pema Lingpa in the 15th century, the mask dances in Bhutan took firm roots and gained an impetus as part of the Bhutanese cultural life. The Ter Cham (treasure dances) and Pe Ling Ging Sum were the most famous of the dances that still continues to this day. In the 17th century with the arrival of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal from Tibet, the mask dances further gained importance. Many new†¦show more content†¦There are many versions about the introduction of the Dramitse Ngachham. Most historians say that the dance was first introduced by Khedrup Kuenga Gyeltshen in Ogyen Thechog Choling monastery. This man was said to be a brother of Ani Choten Zangmo who settled at Dramitse after naming the place. Khedup Kuenga, while undergoing a retreat had a vision of three beautiful women who had the heavenly form, dressed in silken clothes with precious gems. These three heavenly bodies guided him to the abode of Guru Rinpoche where he witnessed celestial heroes and heroines performing a dance. After this incident, Khedrup Kuenga introduced the dance according to the prophecy made by Guru in his vision. The nineteenth century versions of the Dramitse Ngacham say that dance was also introduced in other parts of Bhutan by the end of nineteenth century. Today, the dance has evolved from a local event, centered on a particular community into an art form, representing the identity of the Bhutanese nation as a whole. Drametse Ngacham was also proclaimed as the masterpiece of the world intangible heritage in November 2005. Durdag Durdag is known as the dance of the Lords of the Cremation Grounds. On the external edges of a symbolic mandala where the assembly of the secret Tantric deities reside, there are eight large cremation grounds. Living in these cremation grounds are numerous lords (Chhokyong) who are bound by an oath to protect the religion. Among them is