Culmination of the sixth course at Dzamling Gar
The second cycle of the Khaita Educational Programme spanned two years with six one week-long educational courses, at Dejamling, Merigar and Dzamling Gar. Led by Adriana Dal Borgo with the precious support of Petra Zezulkova and other Khaita Instructors. We have been educated by way of body, voice and mind in an incredibly wide range of transcultural values expressed by Khaita. The course has continually surprised, challenged and rewarded us. A true evolution.
Peter: My natural attraction to Khaita first manifested in the early days when we sang and danced relentlessly with Rinpoche at retreats, trying our best, following the early experts, having fun and really knowing very little, but receiving a taste and becoming fascinated. I fell easily under Khaita’s spell of joy and harmony and the infectious enthusiasm of our Master.
Unfortunately, I always found it difficult to keep up the momentum alone or in front of the computer, even after inspiring teachers such as Svetlana, Stoffelina and Lena came to lead and inspire us in the UK. So, when my partner Cindy suggested that we could participate in a progressive training programme aimed at becoming teachers or experts of Khaita, I knew this would be a fun and meaningful journey.
Dhammika: The first time I experienced the music and dances of Khaita in front of our Master at Namgyalgar, it ignited something indescribable and powerful in my heart. My movements were clumsy and uncoordinated. Under the gaze of our Master, we ALL participated and somewhat tried to keep a circle, following/copying Adriana in the small gompa!
At Dejamling, France, May 2023 we began our journey learning many aspects: steps and movements, codifying and examining. This was when dear Sebatian appeared in our midst. In July at Merigar we continued to expand our learnings with many workshops delivered by professionals: Elisha Koppensteiner on vocal training; Eva Leick with academic research on Khaita and well-being; Martina Krejcova, teaching Khaita in Primary School; Monika Marcik using Khaita in coaching.
At Dzamling Gar in November the highlight was the expert guidance of Pancho Company on reading musical components.
At the fourth in March 2024 Dzamling Gar, we deepened our understanding and studied academic dance research, and Dr Phuntsog’s talk on Exploring Khaita.Additionally, we examined how to present Khaita to different public audiences.
In Merigar on 8th July 2024 we joined together to remember our dear friend, accomplished dancer and fellow student, Sebastian Troncoso, who suddenly passed from this life on 3rd July. Sebastian had been a prime mover in all the workshops to that date and manifested great potential as a Khaita dancer. We were all devastated by this tragic news, but the dance must continue. We studied more complex dances such as Tashi Monlam and Tashi Mondun and Gangchenpa. Petra continued to torture us with her special dance guessing game – blind recognition of the dance solely through the music.
For the final meeting at Dzamling Gar in November 2024, we were privileged to participate in two excellent workshops. The first a presentation and training by Gianfranco Brero, who patiently taught skills of communication in person and on zoom, training us how to introduce a dance and its steps. Under his expert observation and guidance, we learned to nurture the audience and communicate effectively. The second presentation was an incredible power point on Tibetan language, culture and history connected with Khaita. We were all absolutely captivated by Lena Dumcheva’s clear delivery and her eclectic choice of subject matter.
Here in Dzamling Gar we found ourselves coalescing as a group both on site and online; coordinating the dances more successfully but still with a lot to improve, orienting ourselves towards a possible ‘teacher certification’. This will probably happen at Merigar in May 2025.
It has been a wonderful journey. There is no doubt that our ability and appreciation of the Khaita project has increased infinitely. Under the wonderful tutelage of Adriana with the qualified assistance of Petra, Clotilde and this time in Dzamling Gar, Jana, we have developed and grown very close as a group, both on site and on Zoom.
Peter: as a lover of in person workshops, I have been lucky to physically attend all 6 sessions. I am amazed by the richness and depth of Khaita, which although based in dance and movement, also covers singing, the meaning and the whole cultural and historical context of Tibet radiating out in ever increasing circles. All this time and commitment has been an utter joy regardless of the arrival point in my journey as a Khaita improver.
Dhammika: Having completed five courses online in Australia, and one onsite in Merigar, Khaita is teaching me many facets of its diamond: presence, awareness, harmony, co-ordination, collaboration, Tibetan culture, the vehicle of Noble Teachings and human values. Heartfelt gratitude to our Master for this infinite treasure.
Do consider this Khaita Educational Programme in the future if you would like to improve and deepen your Khaita and appreciate the depth and richness of this precious gift from our Master, spreading throughout the whole Tibetan cultural landscape to illuminate our hearts across the globe.
Dhammika Pereira-Marland & Peter White
