Sonam Wangmo - an amazing Tibetan voice

Sonam Wangmo comes from a little village in northern Tibet and sings mainly traditional Tibetan music. Mixing her native talent with long years of study and training, her voice is a real wonder, with an incredible flexibility, making the young Tibetan one of the most impressive singers in the world. And, like most of the contemporary singers, she is also very beautiful.

The song in the clip is called "Golden Country" (Sok-shen Lung-pa in Tibetan) and brought her a well deserved fame in Tibet and China. One can remark the traditional elements of Tibetan culture on the scene with the Potala Palace image on the background and the traditional clothes she is wearing. This unusual way of singing (mixing of harmony and falset - technically very demanding) is specific mainly to the Kham area of Eastern Tibet, but can be met, at some extent, in most of the traditional mountain cultures from around the world. A typical example of the kham-lu can be also heard here, in a concert given by Sonam Wangmo at Payul Monastery (Payul Gompa) in Tibet.

Chongshol Dolma - Out of the Himalaya

Chongshol Dolma, originally from North-Eastern Tibet (Amdo area), is a new voice in the contemporary Tibetan music. Her single "Out of the Himalaya" became quickly famous not only in Tibet and China, but also internationally. Although this song is in Mandarin and not in Tibetan, one can see a lot of traditional Tibetan elements in the clip: the khata, the prayer wheel, prayer flags, chortens (stupas), traditional clothing and important Tibetan pilgrimage places.
An interesting detail: the image of the Potala Palace shown in the clip is from the 1940's, before the Chinese occupation.

Vajra Sky Over Tibet - Part 9

The last part of the documentary focuses on the Thanka Festival and the revival of the Buddhism in Tibet and China. An emotional portrait of the Tibetans' spirituality.

Vajra Sky Over Tibet - Part 8

A visit to Tashilung Monastery and a description of the sufferings of the 11th Panchen Lama under the Chinese communist administration. Scenes from the monastic life are shown plus images of the Brahmaputra River.

Vajra Sky Over Tibet - Part 7

From Gyantse, to the Nomads' land - interesting elements from their life. Shalu monastery is the home of some of the greatest Buddhist paintings. Next city visited, more to the West, is Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. The Monastery Tashilung used to be the living residence of the second highest religious authority in Tibet - the Panchen Lama.

Vajra Sky Over Tibet - Part 6

From Norbu Lingkar near Lhasa, the trip continues West, to Gyantse, the thirs biggest city in Tibet. The most impressive monument in the area is Kumbun, A 3-dimensional Mandala. It was spared by damage during the Cultural Revolution.

Vajra Sky Over Tibet - Part 5

The journey continues inside the Potala Palace, then we see some of the Tibetan traditions and more of the every day life in Lhasa. This part ends with a visit to the Norbu Lingka ("The Jewel Park") - the place that used to be the summer residence of the Dalai Lama.

Vajra Sky Over Tibet - Part 4

The trip continues with the visit to the nunnery, showing the nuns making cult objects and prayer wheels, then the Tibetan religious art is described, including a presentation of Chenrizi (Avalokiteshvara in Sanskrit). The destruction of the temples, especially during the Chinese Cultural Revolution and the authorities control over religious practice is shown further. The 4th part ends with a trip to the Potala Palace, the most famous building in Tibet.

Vajra Sky Over Tibet - Part 3

In the third part of the documentary, the pilgrimage to the Jokang Temple continues, with description of Buddhist symbols, monk debates and a visit at one of the nearby nuneries.

Vajra Sky Over Tibet - Part 2

The second part from the documentary "Vajra Sky Over Tibet", directed by John Bush (2006). Lhasa and Jokang Temple here.

Vajra Sky Over Tibet - Journey Into the Tibetan Buddhism - Part 1

This is the first part from the documentary "Vajra Sky Over Tibet", directed by John Bush. It is a religious pilgrimage to the holy places of Tibet, hold in 2005.
Vajra is a Sanskrit term meaning the thunderbolt of awakening, and Tibetan Buddhism is known as the Vajrayana Buddhist tradition. Bush traveled to Tibet with a two-person crew and a Tibetan guide and driver. They went as pilgrims and didn't ask permission of the Chinese authorities to film.