There are many different programmes and competitions going on in our country, organized by different schools and institutions. In the same way there was a very interesting competition, a national cultural dance competition among many different schools. It was held this spring. SMD School took part, ten Nubri girls formed a group and practiced a Nubri folk dance. We had the help of our teacher Wangdu (as Manager of our group) and our Tibetan dance teacher, Pema Tenzin who is always ready to help us in times of need. He is skilled in song, and dance as well as in Tibetan musical instruments.

We all gathered and practiced as much as we could. At first, there were more than 40 schools in Kathmandu district in which our school got 1st position. We were selected to move to the next round. We went for another competition among the districts in which again we took 1st position for the second time. Now the final competition was really tough...there are only 5 schools from 5 different development regions! Unfortunately, our school was not able to succeed in the same way as before. We couldn’t be the winner in the biggest competition because our culture and dance was unique. We were singing in our own dialect (a Tibetan dialect) but the judges were not able to understand our song’s meaning.

Lastly we (the Nubri dance group) would like to pay our heartfelt of thanks to our Very Ven. Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche for forming this school for Himalayan kids. Secondly heartfelt of thanks goes to the School administration for granting us permission to participate in such a competition. Thanks also to Wangdu for his help and Pema Tenzin for his guidance and making our programme successful.

Also we are really grateful to all our Nubri relatives who kindly lent us their own costumes.

Sithar Chonzom B321