The story of Noble Dakini Nangsa Obum (11-12 century) MITEM
Traditional Tibetan opera
This story is a narration of an event that took place in Gyantse region of Tibet. It is fashioned into operatic medium from the verses of early minstrels in Tibet; they sang it from place to place.
A long time ago, in the village of Zhangpei Kurnangpa there lived a well to do peasant family called Phehue Nangba. They led a simple and contented life, but they had not children to inherit the wealth they accumulated. They fervently invoked the Goddess Tara for a child. One night, after the recitation of 100 000 prayers, Nyangtsa Seldon had an amazing dream: a lotus sprouts within her womb and celestial maidens (dakinis) appeared, making offering to this lotus.
After some months, Nyangtsa Seldon gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. The little baby auspiciously made an offering of her mother’s milk to the Goddess Tara. They named her Nangsa Woebum which means, „One given to earth, whose radiance would liberate 100 000 sentient beings.”
The Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) is a premier institute that is entrusted with the responsibility of preserving and promoting Tibet’s ancient and unique culture including its rich musical heritage and arts. The institute was founded by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama on reaching Kalimpong in August 1959.