It is said that music has no boundaries. A person who enjoys his or her native, traditional music and art may also appreciates and adopts music from other cultures for entertainment. Those who turn to modern pop music, may prefer imported musical genre than their own native, traditional one. I suppose it’s quite natural for young people from all backgrounds.
Tibetans are no different from any other culture whether they are in China’s occupied Tibet or in exile. Dominant cultures are a big influence to the minorities. It is estimated that since the flight of the Dalai Lama into exile in 1959, some 140,000 Tibetan refugees have been living outside China’s occupied Tibet. Currently home to over 10,000 Tibetans, Nepal is frequently pressured by the Chinese government to ban Tibetan refugees engaging in any form of gatherings – political, cultural or human rights related. Nepal’s authorities have a fine balance to act – to please its northern communist neighbour whilst ensuring the Tibetan refugees enjoy the universal human rights in the landlocked country.
Today, I would like introduce a young Tibetan artist – a Thangka painter and musician, Kelsang Choedak, who was born and brought up in a refugee camp in Nepal. Kelsang received his full six-year training in the traditional Tibetan Thangka painting course from ‘Tsering Art School’ of Shechen Monastery in Boudhanath. This town in Kathmandu valley is a very well known pilgrimage site for Buddhists around the world.
Based in Kathmandu, Kelsang Kes (his stage name) spends his time between making music and managing his traditional Thangka painting studio, which he owns and also employs a number of artists. Kelsang Kes is a well sought after young Tibetan artist, whose latest release is ང་ཡི་སེམས་ཀྱི། or Ngayi Semkyi. His latest release on the Valentine’s Day, 14th February 2022 – a romantic Tibetan song is a treat for his fans.
In his social media posting on 12th February, Kelsang Kes wrote, “Hi guys, stay tuned for this Valentine’s song ‘ང་ཡི་སེམས་ཀྱི།/Ngayi semkyi’ by Pema Wangdi Lama creation, Featuring myself!”
Kelsang Kes also sings Nepalese, Bollywood and English songs beautifully. With no shortage of fans throughout the world Kelsang Kes has performed in many countries including in India, Bhutan and Nepal.
It’s Friday, enjoy Kelsang Kes music by clicking the Youtube links below!
Follow Kelsang Kes at: https://www.facebook.com/kelsang.kes
Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities 