Leh, July 01: The Cultural Academy, Leh in collaboration with Hemis monastery organised a seminar on Monastic Mask Dance of Ladakh-its origin, significance and other traditions at Hemis monastery on June 29.

The seminar was attended by monks from different monasteries of Ladakh and presentations were given by 10 monasteries on the significance of mask dance. The monasteries that gave the presentations were Sakti monastery, Chemdey monastery, Hemis monastery, Thiksey monastery, Matho monastery, Lamayuru monastery, Likir monastery, Phyang monastery, Korzok monastery and Wanla monastery. 

Executive Counsellor, Stanzin Chosphel, chief guest showcased his gratitude to Hemis monastery for organising the seminar and hoped that this would be organised every year. He emphasised that seminars such as this should also include the youth so that they can understand the rich cultural importance of Ladakh. 

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Additionally, he requested the monasteries to provide a list of thangkas that need restoration as LAHDC, Leh will be working towards restoring the culturally important thangkas of the monasteries of Ladakh. 

Highlighting the importance of this seminar,  President, Gonpa Association, Gyen Angdu said that there are different mask dances in different monasteries and today’s gathering will give an opportunity for the monks to learn about them. 

Further, Deputy Secretary, Ladakh Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Leh, Tsewang Paljor said that organising this seminar is a celebratory occasion for all of us and this seminar should be organised every year. 

He also talked about how the monasteries in Ladakh are a culturally rich source of learning centers and the fact that learned monks from different monasteries have gathered here today to share their knowledge is truly an achievement for all of us.

The seminar was divided into two sessions where the first session was presided by Executive Councillor, Stanzin Chosphel and the session was presided by Head Monk, Hemis monastery, Ven. Nawang Jigmet.