Tibetan opera, Ache Lhamo, which means Fairy in Tibetan, is the traditional opera of Tibet. The first opera troupe in Tibet was founded in the Ngamring area during the 15th century by Thangtong Gyalpo.
Thangtong Gyalpo was born in Olpa Lhatse in upper Tsang or Lato in the 14th century, his birthplace also called Renchen Ding located in Shigatse prefecture, between Lhastse and Nyamring county. He is believed to be a manifestation of both Avalokitesvara and Hayagriva.
Thangthong Gyalpo was an important Shangpa Kagyu master and he was also a famous civil engineer, architect, philosopher, doctor and artist. Initially, he had organized seven girls to perform Tibetan opera for fundraising purpose in support to build iron chain bridges and stupas in Tibet, the opera became a very important part of Tibetan folk art. Starting from the beginning of 15th century he began to build iron chains bridges and stupas in Tibet, Bhutan and Ladakh. In the meantime, he also travelled all around Tibet to study and teach the Buddha’s teaching in many important monasteries like Samye, Sakya, Ngamring Choede, Chuwori and Dege Gonchen which were his own monasteries. He has built more than 100 bridges, ferries and stupas to avoid natural disasters and create peace and happiness for all beings.
Tibetan opera or Ache Lhamo, originally there are nine different stories which were adapted into Ache Lhamo performances, each exclusively staged by respective troupes. The Kyormulung troupe would only perform stories such as Sukyi Nyima, Pema Woebar and Drowa Sangmo. Gyalkara with their monastic background performs only Prince Norsang as their core performance. The Chungpa troupe performs only the story Drimed Kunden. Then there is troupe from the Menru Monastery who perform only Dhepa Tenpa in the Menru Ponsong tradition.
Nowadays, there are numerous troupes throughout the country, and the best time to see their performance is during the Shoton Festival in Norbulingka at Lhasa during the month of August.
