Generating "Good Kharma"
with the Tibetan New Year

San Francisco: In Tibet, the Lunar New Year is called Losar. It is a time of renewal, a happy time marking rebirth in nature and a new beginning for all creatures. Many communities around the world celebrate Losar with traditional festivities.

Highlighting the festivities will be a special performance by celebrated Bay Area group Chaksam-Pa Tibetan Dance and Opera Company. Their performance of auspicious songs and traditional dances, as well as a ceremonial offering made to the gods, bring good luck to the audience members who are encouraged to participate in the ceremony, offerings, and concluding dance. The family festival also includes storytelling, a treasure hunt in the museum's Himalayan Gallery, and a hands-on art activity where children and adults can make their own Tibetan prayer flags.

The museum's celebration of Losar, led by Chaksam-Pa Tibetan Dance Company and Opera, began with a traditional ceremonial offering of khata scarves at a dherka (altar). Immediately following the khata offerings, the Tea and Rice Ceremony took place, during which celebrants will receive portions of the ceremonial rice.

Chaksam-Pa performed festive Tibetan songs and dances, and acted as the comical drekhar (performers who traveled from door to door during Losar narrating auspicious words to families who gave them gifts in return). Following the lively performance, they raised the dharchen (giant prayer pole) and burned incense to ensure peace and prosperity for the year to come. The audience participated in the concluding gorshae (circle dance)-an act of devotion that generates good karma.

The Chaksam-Pa Tibetan Dance and Opera Company was established in 1989 in order to preserve and foster the traditional performing arts of Tibet. Chaksam-Pa, which means "bridge-builder" in Tibetan, collects Tibetan songs and dances before they are lost to memory, and trains young Tibetans to bring the performing arts of Tibet to new audiences. Co-Founder and Artistic Director Tashi Dalek led the performance.

Losar was co-presented with The Tibetan Association of Northern California. Additional support for this program was provided in part by the California Arts Council, a state agency; the City and County of San Francisco, and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.