Cultural Diary

Dolpo-Tulko at Goethe Institute

A film Dolpo-Toluko will be shown on June 23 at 5.30 p.m. at Goethe Institute's in Colombo. The Tibetan-speaking Dolpo in north-western Nepal is one of the most isolated regions in the world. Surrounded by the enormous Himalayas, the people of Dolpo live to a large extent without electricity and modern communication and without the pressures of assimilation felt in China or India. The Dolpo, far removed from the Nepalese government, is a place where Buddhist culturestill thrives.

When he was only ten-years-old, the shepherd Sherap Sangpo was recognized as the reincarnation of a highly regarded lama, the Dolpo Tulku. He was sent to the Namdroling convent in southern India for his education. Sixteen years later, he returns to the Nepalese mountains, along with more than 30 monks and nuns, to take up his job as spiritual leader of the deeply religious Dolpo people.

Upon his arrival, Tulku is overwhelmed by the positive reception and the confidence offered to him by the people of the Dolpo. The task as reincarnation of his admired predecessor means an enormous responsibility which he - as a young man of 26 years - has to prove he is up to. Filled with both doubt and respect for his followers, he searches for ways to fulfil the expectations placed on him.

He comes up with various plans: strengthening the monastery communities, building a school for Buddhist education of all lines, and most importantly, modernizing the region: Schools here don't offer Tibetan lessons, healthcare is almost nonexistent and also there aren't any roads or any electricity.

By very impressive pictures of the mountains of the Himalaya, by calm and dense observations the movie tells us about the fascinating archaic culture and the people of the Dolpo and the substantial task to oppose the painful poverty: It is about risking a modernisation spiritually founded on the deeply rooted original Buddhism with the sense of community and altruism. The young Dolpo Tulku is facing this task with an enormous dedication, modesty, a surprisingly acute sense of humour and a deeply felt love.

Along the road to pilgrimage

Free tea stalls will be set up at five point along the road to pilgrimage in Anuradhapura on June 24, 25 and 26. The programme is annually conducted by Neth FM and Laaojee.

The Wastrel and Unrealistic expectations

The wastrel and 'unrealistic expectations' two short plays byNuzrath Mawlana will go onboard staged on June 23 and 24 at Lionel Wendt theatre. The play is about parent and adolescent conflict, relating to contemporary happenings. It's a play with song and dance. The lyrics are written by Nuzrath and the music by shoby from Sohan and the experiments. Vocal training by Rapyhi Fernanado and costume sponsor is Geebees. A special thanks to Jeewaka Edirisinghe for the media sponsorship.

Suddek Oba Amathai

Suddek Oba Amathi, a stage play will go on board on June 27 at Samupakara Mandiraya in Matara at 2.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. The cast include Jayalath Manoratne, Nalin Pradeep Uduwela and Madani Malwatte.