The Ngonpa house of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) triumphed in this year’s cultural and play contest competed against the Gyalu house, through an aggregate score of the nine judges.

The annual summer festival and culture competition ‘Yarkyi’ in commemoration of the 64th founding anniversary of TIPA was held on the evening of Friday. The cultural contest was attended by Sikyong Penpa Tsering as the chief guest and Ajit Nehria, president of the Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association (ITFA) as the special guest. The list of guests also includes Secretaries of the CTA departments, Tibetan MPs, heads of the local TCV and Sambhota schools, and representatives from regional associations and unions.

The contest was categorised into three parts of singing, cultural dance, and skit. The two houses diligently showcased their skills and expertise and won the hearts of the audience through their performances.

Sikyong in his keynote address extolled both houses for their remarkable performances and reiterated it matters not who won and lost as their input was more crucial for the advancement of the collective Tibetan movement through the exhibition and promotion of Tibetan art and culture.

“While political advocacy is an impetus to the Tibetan cause, the advocacy through performing art and culture forms an integral part of the effort”, Sikyong remarked and lauded the retired and senior artists for nurturing and preparing the younger artists. Sikyong further assured the administration’s continuous assistance to the future of the Institute and meanwhile urged the concerted efforts and cooperation of the institute’s alma maters.

Sikyong felicitated service awards to two staff of the institute for their services exceeding 20 years. He also distributed certificates to the graduates of the institute.

Finally, the grand trophy of Yarkyi 2023 was presented to the winning team, Ngonpa House.