Tibet CultureBy Christy Mallinson

Music Tibetan music is usually religious with a

Tibetan Buddhist influence.

It is often performed at celebrations with low pitch chants reciting sacred texts and resonant drums.

Some Tibetans would travel to different villages to play music that told Buddhist parables.

Street songs were performed for political expression

Secular music has been encouraged more recently bridging from operatic music to dance music.

Nangma is a type of secular music that is common among karaoke bars.

Classical gar music is performed durning rituals and ceremonies.

Art Most of the Tibetan artwork depicts the religious

beliefs of the Tibetan Buddhists.

Most of the artists are uncredited and create the art in large workshops.

Statues and paintings often depict the deity Chenrezig who is the compassionate one that answers requests. It can be portrayed as man or woman.

Some Tantric Buddhist deities are portrayed as angry with fire around them to symbolize the protection of the Tantric practices.

These forms of artwork are often used during meditation to help visualize the deities.

Buddha and the deity Padmasambhava statues are often paired with dark diety statues. Padmasambhava subdues the negative forces of the angry dieties so that they must all serve Buddha.

Sandpaintings are made on the ground by monks temporarily for religious or healing ceremonies

Architecture Major influence from Chinese and Indian

architecture

Buddhism is another major influence, and many structures include a prayer wheel with two deer or dragons.

Practicality is another influence: flat roofs to absorb heat, many windows to allow sunlight in, and walls are slanted inward for earthquake safety.

The Potala Palace has over a thousand rooms and is thirteen stories. It housed the Dalai Lama, serves as administative headquarters, shrines, library, and chapels.

The traditional Kham architecture included the use of decorated wood that is skillfully put together.

Sources Wikipedia: Tibetan Music

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_music Wikipedia: Tibetan Art

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_art Wikipedia: Tibetan Architecture

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibetan_architecture#Architecture