Topic: Unveiling the Veil of "Ancient Tibetan Court Music"  — An Analysis of the Cultural Origins of Tibet Gar Music and Dance

Time & Date: 19:00, April 14 (Friday)

Speaker: Dr. Mijiu Danzeng (Tibet University)

Language: Chinese

Host: Prof. Zhuosheng JIN (CUHK-SZ)

Venue: Lecture Room 102, MUS Teaching Building

Abstract

Tibet Court's Gar Music is a comprehensive performance art that integrates singing, dancing, and music. It is created by Tibet Court, and was included in the second round of national intangible cultural heritage lists released in 2015. It is generally believed that Gar Music existed during the Tubo period. However, recent research suggests that Gar Music was transmitted to Lhasa in the 17th from Baltistan and Ladakh.

This lecture infers the historical context of the cultural development of Gar Music through important literature such as "A Feast for the Ears and Eyes", as well as historical events, folk legends, music, instruments, and related literature. It explains the historical origins of the musical elements of Gar Music in relation to Baltistan, Ladakh, and Tibetan local music culture. The lecture explores how factors such as folk exchanges and trade played a role in the spread of the musical elements related to Gar Music.

About the Speaker

Mijiu Danzeng is a composer and member of the China Musicians Association. He is also the director of the Society of Composers and Compositional Theory, a visiting scholar at the Central Conservatory of Music, a council member of the Tibet Musicians Association, and a young core professors of Tibet University. He completed his studies at the Central Conservatory of Music where he was a student of renowned composer, Professor Xiaogang YE. Mijiu Danzeng has been awarded the "Five-One Project Award" and has hosted numerous significant cultural and artistic projects, including National Art Fund projects and Autonomous Area Literary and Artistic Creation support projects. He also served as music director for CCTV and Tibet Television's "Children's Day Gala in Five Provinces" and music director for Tibet Television's Spring Festival and Tibetan New Year Gala. He served as the artistic and musical consultant for the documentary "Distant Nursery Rhymes" (Tibet special film) on CCTV.

Mijiu Danzeng's works have been commissioned and promoted by Beijing Modern Music Festival, Shanghai Spring International Art Festival, Shanghai National Orchestra, CCTV, and Tibet Television. He has published original music albums such as "Qiong Jie Dawazhuoma" and "Mijiu Danzeng Sgra Snyan Chamber Music Works Collection". He is currently one of the important figures in Tibet's music scene.