TitleDurthro Dagmo Chezhi, Punakha Tsechu: Day Three, the final day [Wide shot]
Additional title: Dance of the Four Lords of the Charnel GroundsAdditional title: Durdag
NamesCore of Culture (Organization) (Producer)Core of Culture (Organization) (Donor)
CollectionBhutan Dance Project, Core of Culture
Dates / OriginDate Created: 2005
Library locationsJerome Robbins Dance DivisionShelf locator: *MGZIDF 801A
TopicsDance -- BhutanFolk dancing -- BhutanDance -- Religious aspects -- BuddhismRites & ceremonies -- BhutanMasks -- BhutanDzongs -- Bhutan -- Punakha (District)Punakha (Bhutan : District)Festivals -- BhutanRitual and ceremonial dancing -- BhutanMask dances -- Bhutan
GenresFilmed danceFilmed performances
NotesAdditional physical form: For close shot version, see: *MGZIDF 801B.Biographical/historical: The Punakha Tsechu (as opposed to the Punakha Drubchen) is of recent origin, having been first performed in 2005. Dasho Thinley Gyamtsho, the Principal of RAPA, was asked to create a new dance spectacle to help inaugurate the Tsechu, and he devised a new piece, taking three days to perform, The Coming of the Zhabdrung which recounts the history of Zhabdrung, Nagawang Namgyal particularly as it relates to his arrival in Punakha and the building of the Punakha Dzong, Pungthang Dechen Phodrang.Content: Programme for the Punakha Tsechu: Day Three, Final Day: Feb. 20, 2005 : Chung Zam - Dance of the Four Garudas ; Pa Cham - Dance of the Heroes ; Durdag - Dance of the Four Lords of the Charnel Grounds ; Ging Tang Tsholing - Ging and Tsholing ; Ging Cham - Victory dance of the Ging ; Zhabdrung Zednam - The Coming of the Zhabdrung (Dance Drama).Venue: Videotaped in performance at the main courtyard, Punakha Dzong, in Punakha, Bhutan (camera on 1st floor balcony), on Feb. 20, 2005.Acquisition: Gift; Core of Culture. NN-PDBiographical/historical: Pungthang Dechen Phodrang Dzong (The Palace of Great Bliss) in Punakha was constructed by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1637-38 and is of great historical significance. Located on a stretch of land where two rivers, the Phochu and Mochu, coverage, the Dzong appears as great anchored ship. It was here that the Zhabdrung died in 1651. Again, it was here that the first hereditary Monarch of Bhutan, King Ugyen Wangchuck, was enthroned just over one hundred years ago, on 17th December 1907. Punakha served as the winter capital of the Kingdom until 1955, (after which the capital moved to Thimphu) and Punakha Dzong continues to be the winter residence of the Central Monastic Authority (CMA) the main monk body of the Drukpa Kagyu School.
Physical DescriptionBorn digitalExtent: 1 video file (ca. 7 min.) : sound, color
DescriptionThe title Durthro Dagmo (Charnel Ground) Che (Lord) Zhi (Four) is generally shortened to Durdag when referring to this skeleton dance . These four Lords are protectors of the religion who inhabit the eight large cremation grounds situated on the external edges of Mount Sumeru. According to the secret Mantrayana tradition, charnel ground owners and other protectory spirits surround the mandalas of the Tantric Deities on the four cardinal and eight mid-point directions As per the vows they had taken, they strive relentlessly to protect the Dharma system and the practitioners by rendering the harmful and evil forces powerless, and summoning them for destruction. The remains of the spirits are thereafter offered to the higher Deities in the mandalas. This dance also represents how the pious people who desire the spread of religious teachings far and wide are guided through the path that leads to higher states of life.
Type of ResourceMoving image
IdentifiersNYPL catalog ID (B-number): b19885590Universal Unique Identifier (UUID): 3c4fb910-e513-0130-6fe0-3c075448cc4b
Copyright NoticeCore of Culture
Rights StatementThis item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
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