Earlier this month I got a chance to go to Rumtek to witness the Cham Dance. For the unawares, Rumtek is a monastery situated at a hill bang opposite to Gangtok. Since it is, as I mention, bang opposite Gangtok, it is a lovely spot for a night view of Gangtok – the day view of Gangtok from anywhere is ugly. This was only my second visit, which reminds me of my first visit, something I do not want to be reminded of, but since I am already reminded let me mention that it was with P and get it over with.
So the boss was going. He has a really nice camera and he wanted to get some nice photos of some nice monks dancing in their nice costumes and the weather turned out to be also perfectly nice or nicely perfect. It is a lovely drive to Rumtek, passing through the country side, which in the paddy season is truly wonderful. It takes a little less than an hour to reach the place.
It had already started by the time we reached. The monks were already seated and reciting their chants – this throaty really low sound that sounds quite inhuman at first, but later grows on y
ou, so you start enjoying it. The dance they perform is not so special, it is very slow in keeping with the chants, with only some jumps and twirls being the most exciting part of the performance. (The first time they jumped and twirled, I got excited thinking that something was happening, but then they just continued on much to my disappointment). However the costumes they don and the numbers in which they perform is enough to capture your attention for a long time. oh they run also in between, and yes in circles...
Runs
So the boss was going. He has a really nice camera and he wanted to get some nice photos of some nice monks dancing in their nice costumes and the weather turned out to be also perfectly nice or nicely perfect. It is a lovely drive to Rumtek, passing through the country side, which in the paddy season is truly wonderful. It takes a little less than an hour to reach the place.
It had already started by the time we reached. The monks were already seated and reciting their chants – this throaty really low sound that sounds quite inhuman at first, but later grows on y
ou, so you start enjoying it. The dance they perform is not so special, it is very slow in keeping with the chants, with only some jumps and twirls being the most exciting part of the performance. (The first time they jumped and twirled, I got excited thinking that something was happening, but then they just continued on much to my disappointment). However the costumes they don and the numbers in which they perform is enough to capture your attention for a long time. oh they run also in between, and yes in circles...
RunsThey also burn the torma shaped in the form of a huge demon’s head as a sign to cast away all evils. The most interesting part of the evening was however the unfurling of this huge thanka, so huge they dangle it from the terrace of the monastery down. My only disappointment was that the thanks looked new. I was hoping to look at something really old but maybe it is because they do some touch ups, the thanka looked new and shiny.
unfurls
with a gust of wind, the first view
