The Royal Academy of Performing Arts (RAPA) is a Bhutanese government body within the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs, Department of Culture,[2] that supports the preservation of traditional Bhutanese culture.[3][4] It was founded in 1954[5] under the initiative of the Third Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. In 1967, it was institutionalised as an academy and the Royal Dance troupe was its creation.[6] The Academy is located in Thimphu, along Chhophel Lam.[7]
| Abbreviation | RAPA |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1952 |
| Type | Government body |
| Legal status | Active |
| Purpose | Cultural preservation and promotion |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 27°29′N 89°38′E / 27.48°N 89.64°E |
Region served | Bhutan |
Official language | Dzongkha, other languages of Bhutan |
Director | Rinzin Penjore[1] |
Parent organization | Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs |
| Affiliations | Government of Bhutan |
Activities
editThe Academy trains young dancers and musicians in both religious and secular folk music and dance.[8] The Academy also documents and performs live songs and dances from Bhutan's many diverse regions – from modern rigsar to centuries-old genres – and publishes its collections.[9]
The professional dancers of the Academy hold performances during the annual Thimphu Tsechu dance festival held at Tashichho Dzong. Throughout the year, its members give one-hour performances for guests and tour groups on request.[6][8][10] The Academy also hosts public dance practices ahead of major events, such as the 2011 royal wedding,[11] and performs abroad.[12]
Leaders of the Academy further participate in international private nonprofit organizations promoting and preserving traditional Bhutanese music and culture.[1][13]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Advisory Board". Music of Bhutan. Music of Bhutan Research Center online. Archived from the original on 2012-09-08. Retrieved 2011-10-15.
- ^ "Department: Culture: Divisions". Nangsi Lhenkhag – Ministry of Home & Cultural Affairs Online. Government of Bhutan. Retrieved 2011-10-15.
- ^ Ardussi, John; Pommaret, Françoise (2007). Bhutan: Traditions and Changes. Brill's Tibetan Studies Library. BRILL. p. 3. ISBN 978-90-04-15551-0. Retrieved 2011-10-15.
- ^ Kelly, Sanja; Walker, Christopher; Dizard, Jake (2008). Countries at the Crossroads: a Survey of Democratic Governance. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 96. ISBN 978-0-7425-5899-1. Retrieved 2011-10-15.
- ^ Leiter, Samuel L. (2007). Encyclopedia of Asian Theatre: A-N. Vol. 1. Greenwood Press. p. 61. ISBN 978-0-313-33530-3. Retrieved 2011-10-15.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ a b Brown, Lindsey; Bradley Mayhew; Stan Armington; Richard Whitecross (2009). Bhutan. Penguin. p. 106. ISBN 978-1-74059-529-2. Retrieved 2011-10-16.
- ^ "Royal Academy of Performing Arts". Lonely Planet online. Retrieved 2011-10-16.
- ^ a b Brown, Lindsay; Armington, Stan (2007). Bhutan. Country Guides (3 ed.). Lonely Planet. pp. 61, 106, 113. ISBN 978-1-74059-529-2. Retrieved 2011-10-15.
- ^ "Case Study Report: Bhutan" (PDF). Asia/Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU). 2009. p. 4. Retrieved 2011-10-15.
- ^ Dorje, Gyurme (1999). Tibet Handbook: with Bhutan (2 ed.). Footprint Travel Guides. p. 840. ISBN 1-900949-33-4. Retrieved 2011-10-15.
- ^ "A Gift from the Sacred Past". Bhutan Observer online. 2011-10-11. Archived from the original on 2011-10-13. Retrieved 2011-10-14.
- ^ "Bhutan – Dance Performance". University of Texas at El Paso online. 2008-07-08. Retrieved 2011-10-16.
- ^ "About Us". Music of Bhutan. Music of Bhutan Research Center online. Archived from the original on 2012-09-04. Retrieved 2011-10-15.