Tibetan Calligraphy Exhibition by Jamyang Dorjee Chakrishar
Jamyang Dorjee Chakrishar, ex-Director of Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts came to the TCV School Gopalpur on September 9, Tuesday to exhibit his extra-ordinary work and skill in the field of Tibetan Calligraphy which set a New Guineas’ Book of World Records. He is the first Tibetan whose name got enlisted in the golden page of Guineas’ book by writing Tibetan calligraphy 163.2 meters long within six months. He told his story of his journey into Tibetan calligraphy to the students and staff members. His Tibetan calligraphy mainly comprised of prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama written by 35 great spiritual masters. It was written on Lokta Tibetan handmade paper. Tibetan calligraphy was written in different styles like Tsugring, Tsugthung, Tsugma Kyug and Kyug using 65,000 Tibetan characters. He also let us know that Thonmi’s Sambota’s script are still active and being used in three provinces of Tibet, Mongolia, Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh, Drachula to Taplejung, Bhutan, and Russian States of Khalmuk, Tuva, Buriat. Furthermore, he said that the existence of writing system before Thonmi Sambota cannot be ruled out. Communication system may have been in existence during the 37 Shanshung Emperors of Tibet. The 7th century was regarded as the golden period in the Tibetan history as the 33rd King Songsten Gampo ruled Tibet and during his reign Thonmi was sent to India to learn and device Tibetan script. Thonmi devised the Tibetan script from Dev Nagari and Pali scripts and thereafter many Dharma texts were translated into local language. Tibetan script flourished for long period of time until the disintegration of Tibet after the assassination of Lang Dharma. Tibetan spiritual master Drogon Chogyal Phagpa was invited by the emperor of China to develop a script for them in the 12th century. Thus Horyig (Mongol Script) was born. There was rejuvenation of Tibetan script when Gaden Phodrang was established by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 16th century. Government of Tibet focused on developing of inner science and Buddha dharma. Mr. Dorjee further informed us that Tibetan calligraphy has the quality of vibrant positive energy. He encouraged students to pay attention to one’s own scripts which face negligence in the diverse culture and needs protection and preservation. The following portrait of Lord Buddha has been skillfully drawn by using different Tibetan calligraphy styles by Jamyang Dorjee la and this is creativity exhibited by him.
