Wednesday, May 23, 2012

32nd International Society for Teacher Education (ISfTE) Seminar

 Master of ceremony: Dawa and Kinley Wangmo
Anchor-1: Good Evening! Ladies and Gentleman! The galaxy of intellectuals, Your Hon’ble, Minister of Education, Lyonpo Thakur Singh Powdel, Vice Chancellor of Royal University of Bhutan, Dasho Pema Thinley, ISfTE Secretary General, Professor, Forrest Crawford, and respected Professors and Educators from across the globe.
My name is Dawa, undergoing my Bachelor’s degree in Primary Education at Paro College of Education and this is my final year.
I am Kinley Wangmo, in final year B.ed Primary General.
 It gives us immense pleasure and privilege to be a part of THE programme, this evening.

Well! My first and foremost duty - On behalf of Paro College of Education is to welcome you all in the opening ceremony of 32nd Annual International Society for Teacher Education. The theme for the seminar is Educating for Gross National Happiness: Role of Teacher

Here at this seminar, we value our intellectual capital, and nurture it through a perfect blend, of the traditional as well as contemporary ways and means, for the comprehensive development, of the teacher education, so that every year the society at large is benefitted with the well equipped professionals who can significantly contribute to the value creation process.
Once again it’s our pleasure to welcome you all to the 32nd ISfTE Seminar!
Anchor-2: To embark on this occasion, we will have our traditional auspicious Marchang ceremony.
Marchang is an offering of wine to the lama, yidam, pawo, khandrum, choechong sungma, neydag and zhidag (translated into English this words means that we are making offerings to our spiritual teachers, dakini, deities, tutelary, heroes and heroines). The Marchang is said to invoke fortune, blessing for the removal of obstacles, and for the successful outcome of the endeavor being inaugurated.
(MARCHANG…)
Anchor-1: May I now request the Director of Paro College of Education ----- Dasho Thubten Gyatsho, to present an opening remark.
AFTER THE ADDRESS – Thank you sir
Anchor-2: Ladies and gentlemen may I now, request the Guest of honor, His Excellency Minister of Education, Lyonpo Thakur Singh Powdel to address the gathering.
AFTER THE ADDRESS – Thank you la Lyonpo
Ladies and Gentleman, now we shall proceed to next venue: that is in Centenary Gymnasium For cultural extravaganza…
(PROCEEDING TO CENTENARY GYMNASIUM)
CULTURAL PROGRAMME BY ROYAL ACADEMY of PERFORMING ARTS
WELCOME DINNER
CENTENARY GYMNASIUM
Anchor-1 Ladies and gentleman,
Warm welcome to centenary Gymnasium for the 2nd part of today’s program, in this episode you will discover the colours of a cultural feast,  unfolded by the artists of Royal Academic of Performing Arts (RAPA) and PEC Cultural group.
To start on, may I invite Joenparlekso artistes from RAPA on the showground…
This folk song and dance performed at the start of a festive occasion is to welcome the honored guests. The lyrics of the song go as follows…
It is with joy that we welcome the distinguished guest in heaven, even water glitter with the spiritual power of Gods
We wish that the rays of heaven would fall on this beautiful world on this auspicious day and grant good health and happiness to all distinguished guest…
We present this song for the pleasure of our guest… Enjoy!
Anchor-2: Ladies and gentleman, up next we present to you, Thuenpa puenzhi chham (dance of the four friends)
The elephant, monkey, rabbit and the peacock are four friends who live in harmonious existence in the forest of Varanasi, India. The four animals supporting one another signify living in harmony by working together. The dance describes their special relationship and cooperation.
Ladies and gentleman take pleasure…
(After Dance) That was indeed a lovely performance. How captivating! Poetry of footsteps!
A blend of cosmic tune and divine music!
Thank you!
Anchor-1: Ladies and gentleman, next we present you… Rigsar dance by: Paro College Culture Group…
Rigsar dance is a music genre, the dominant type of popular music of Bhutan. In the early 1990s, the Rigsar industry grew considerably, as Drayang repopularized the genre, adding more electronic elements. Modern Rigsar recordings often use electronic approximations of drums and guitars.
Anchor-2: Ladies and gentleman, next may I invite performer of Layap Zhabdro from RAPA…
The semi nomadic tribes of the village called Laya, high up at the foothills of the snowy mountains ranges in the north of Bhutan have songs and dances that describe the beautiful panoramic surrounding. Glimpses and glittering snow-clad Mountain, the white prayer flags fluttering high up on the mountain have inspired many beautiful songs. This particular song describes the task of collection of incense plants from the mountain sides as offering to the Gods.
Dear dignitaries, take joy in the presentation…..
AFTER THE PERFORMANCE
Incredible, the dancers really held everyone captive. Thank you, it was Awesome!
Anchor-1: Ladies and Gentleman hold your breath for another dance by RAPA… for now we present to you Pachham (Dance of the heros)
Terton Pema lingpa, the treasur discoverer in the 15th century witnessed the pachham being performed in Zangdopelri, the abode of Guru Rinpochee by the heros (Pawos) and the heroines (khandom-pamos) accompanied by harmonious melodies of the religion of the Guru Rinpochee. This dance was introduced and is performed to pacify the world and to restore peace and happiness.
Let’s witness the dance of heroes, by welcoming entertainer from RAPA…
(After the dance) Very engrossing with various movement, figure and mesmerizing formation…
Thank You!
Anchor-2: Ladies and gentleman, next program in the list we have for you is Zhungdra (Samyay ki salamo)
One of the oldest Bhutanese songs, this describes the construction of Samyay monastery, “Migyur Lhuengi-Drukpai- Phodrang” in Tibet during 8th century. It is said that king Thrisong Deotsen’s will was shaken as the construction of the monastery was prolonged by hostile spirits and shanta Rakshita suggested that the king invited Guru Padma Sambhava to vanquish the evil forces. The completion of the monastery is said to have taken 6 long years.
Thank you!
Anchor-1: Ladies and Gentleman, next we present you with Boedra (title) for that may I invite Presenter of Paro College on the stage…
Boedra is a traditional genre of Bhutanese music. Boedra, which is influenced by Tibetan folk music, is one of the two main folk singing styles in Bhutan, the other being zhungdra, which was developed in the 17th century.
Anchor-2: Ladies and gentleman, let’s have a change.
Up next I call on showground RAPA musician for Instrumental Musical Display
The instrument used are Dranyen (lute), Yangchen (Dulcimer), Piwang (Fiddle) and lingm (Flute)…
Let’s have amusing moment with melody dipped music notes…
Anchor-1: Ladies and gentleman, next we present to you the Dramitse Ngachaam (Dance of Drummer from the Dramitsee)
In the 16th century, lama kuenga Gyeltshen, Spiritual teacher, a learned lama from Dramitse is believed to have visited the celestial palace of Guru Rinpochee through his miraculous power. He saw the attendants of the Guru transform themselves into peaceful or terrifying deities and performing a dance with drums. Upon his return he introduced the dance that depicts the supremacy of Gods over demons and symbolizes the victory of the good over evils. This dance is included with the UNESCO’s list of unique intangible cultural heritage of mankind since 2002.
This was mesmerizing, powerful and alluring dance… Thank you!
Anchor-2: Ladies and gentleman, next item in the list, we present you, Folk Song (Ae Mo Chog Lay) 
This is a folk song and dance from the two hamlets of Merak and Sakten in eastern Bhutan, where we have a small group of semi- nomadic people with their distinctive dress and language. This is a unique dance of the highlander through which they seek refuge in their local deities Amo Jomo. It is also believed when they offer this song to their deity it can ward off the evil and negative emotions and bestow them with blessing and good fortunes.
Anchor-1: Ladies and gentleman, subsequently, I invite the presenters of Kepi Drukyul…
This is the song and dance about how in Bhutan the land of thunder dragon, people live in joy and harmony. Blessed by the triple gems, there is peace and tranquility.
Enjoy! Ladies and gentleman…
Anchor-2: Duet Song
ACHOR 1: Ladies and gentleman…Now we shall break for a yummy…yummy… Dinner… Until then this is Dawa and Kinley Wangmo, leave-taking with the message, have a delicious dinner and good night to all of you la.