Free Panchen Lama Concert
History has shown us that music can be a powerful tool when it comes to inspiring and motivating people for any political movement. The likes of Dadon, Kunga, Yardong, the 14 singing nuns from Drapchi prison, Bob Marley and others have proved this point over and over again.
Thus, on the joyous occasion of the Panchen Lama's 18th birthday, Tibetan Women's Association organized the second Free Panchen Lama Concert on April 25th, 2007 at Tipa Hall, 6:30pm. Venerable Lobsang Dorjee la, Director of the Panchen Research Center, was the Chief Guest of the concert. A Friend of TWA (FOTWA), Nandini Thapa, was also introduced at the concert as she has not only been morally supportive of TWA's campaigns, but also made a generous donation of Rs. 40,000/- towards TWA's political campaigns.
Many different singers were represented at the concert and the theme of the concert was the Tibetans' urgent call for the immediate release of the Panchen Lama. The hall was packed with supporters and many had to be turned away for lack of space. TWA apologizes to all those who did not get a seat at the concert.
TWA, with the help of Regional TWA-Dharamsala, also organized a signature campaign at the bus station at Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala, starting at 10:00 am on the same day. A 15 metre banner with handprints on it was laid out for Tibetans and supporters to sign. The banner was sent to Mr. Jampa Phuntsok, the Chairman of Tibet Autonomous Region.
The following singers performed at the concert.
- Sonam Dhondup: Panchen Bhod La Trung (Panchen Lama Born in Tibet) Lobsang Delek: Ngayi Lama (My Lama)
- Yeshi Gyatso: Dhang Gong Ngayi MiLam (My Dream Last Night)
- Amalia: Drinlen (Repaying Kindness) and Zhamling Kyi Nyima (The World's Sun)
- Lhundup: Nyin Dha Kar Sum (The Sun, The Moon and The Stars) and Panchen DrenLu (Remembering Panchen Lama)
- Sonam Tsering: Kyab Chol Wa (To Take Refuge)
- Jamyang Tashi: Panchen la Rinpoche
- JJI Exile Brothers: Panchen Lama and Khara Ri
- Thangtong Lugar Tsokpa: Dha Ta Ghapar Yoe (Where Are You Now?)
- Khedup: Shar Chok Drung Kyi Bar
- Tashi Namdhak: No War
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