Disket Document: Masked Dance Performance

Cinematographer: Shaina Anand

Duration: 00:42:14; Aspect Ratio: 1.333:1; Hue: 30.873; Saturation: 0.169; Lightness: 0.361; Volume: 0.220; Cuts per Minute: 55.766; Words per Minute: 7.503

A number of historians, journalists and activists are invited to Disket in the Nubra Valley, Ladakh to participate in National Integration Conference. However, it appears that the same has been misrepresented, on arrival they are told that the actual event is the celebration of "Buddh Mahotsav", the first in a series of Nation-wide Events (the next was to be in Arunachal Pradsh) master-minded and organised by the VHP. What were a bunch of left-liberal folks to do? They performed their speeches for the good citizens and children of Disket, and talked late into the night.

This clip shows the delegates whisked off to the Disket Gompa (the only Gompa or monastery in the Disket region) for a two and a half hour cleansing ritual and masked dance performance. Locals, tourists and participants of the seminar are all gathered at the monastery for this breath-taking and hugely religious ritual-cum-performance by the Lamas (monks) of the Gompa.

A few children are looking into the LCD screen of the camera which has been flipped towards them (mirrored). They are virtually maneuvering the camera themselves. Shaina Anand pans the camera such that all the children can see themselves on the screen. Amidst giggles and squeals of laughter, they excitedly peep in and try to out do each other in order to get a clearer view of themselves.
(Ladakhi)
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Disket Gompa, Disket, Nubra Valley, Ladakh

(Ladakhi)
A few children are looking into the LCD screen of the camera which has been flipped towards them (mirrored). Shaina Anand moves the camera for all the children to be able to see themselves on the screen, though the children themselves are virtually maneuvering the camera. The children, excitedly, cram closer to the camera and are obviously having fun peeping at the screen.
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A lady waves at the camera. The camera pans to a few children who are looking into the LCD screen of the camera which has been flipped towards them (mirrored). Shaina Anand attempts to prompt them into speech.
SA - say bye...
(Ladakhi)
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Some children are trying to out do each other in making scary faces and sounds, as they imitate a bhoot (ghost), into the LCD screen of the camera which has been flipped towards them (mirrored). Shaina Anand plays along.
- Bhoot...bhoot aya! (A ghost is coming!)

SA - bhoot aya! ... Then what will the bhoot do? Does the bhoot come here, to Disket?

- No it doesn't!

SA - It doesn't come to Disket?
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Children - (Ladakhi)

SA - Which one of you had made that face of the bhoot?... Now try and scare me! ... Scare me...
Some children are extremely excited to see themselves on the screen of the camera which has been flipped (mirrored) and are trying to out do each other in making scary faces and sounds, as they imitate a bhoot (ghost) into the LCD screen. Shaina Anand plays along.
children
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A few children are looking into the LCD screen of the camera which has been flipped towards them (mirrored). They are enjoying virtually maneuvering the camera to see themselves clearly. They begin to talk about a Bhoot (a ghost), while playing with Shaina Anand, and try to out do each other by making 'bhoot' faces to scare her.
Children - Bhoot aya! (Here comes the ghost!)

SA - What sounds does the bhoot make?
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A few children are looking into the the LCD screen of the camera which has been flipped towards them (mirrored). They are enjoying peeping at the screen to see themselves clearly. One of them begins to talk to Shaina Anand about seeing a bhoot (a ghost), at times being prompted by the other children.
SA - Does the bhoot visit Nubra sometimes? ... Haan? Does the bhoot come to Disket?

- No...

- (I) don't know...

SA - Haven't you seen one yet?

- I have seen!

SA - You have seen a bhoot?! Where?

- I...

SA - Huh?

- (I have) seen one!

SA - Where?

- Disket...

- In Disket!

SA - Where? How did you see it?

- (Ladakhi)

- Like this...

SA - What did the bhoot look like?

- Like this...

SA - Like this? You are lying! The bhoot was doing this?

- No! It was doing this...!

SA - Is that so?
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photo reference

A few children are looking into the the LCD screen of the camera which has been flipped towards them (mirrored). They are enjoying peeping at the screen and virtually manoeuvring the camera to see themselves clearly. They begin to talk to the Shaina Anand about seeing a bhoot (a ghost). They are making faces into the camera to show what the bhootlooks like, when suddenly a deep drone sound of a Dung-cheng (a pair of long Tibetan trumpets) distracts them, and excited they turn to face the direction of the sound.
SA - Do people here tell you stories about bhoot (ghosts)?

- (Ladakhi)

SA - Has it started?
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Few children are looking at themselves in the the LCD screen of the camera which has been flipped towards them (mirrored). One of them informs Shaina Anand that a group of Lamas (Buddhist spiritual teachers/ monks) are about to enter the square at the Disket's Gompa' (monastery). A deep drone sound of a Dung-cheng (a pair of long Tibetan trumpets) can be heard in the background. They enjoy making faces into the screen and try to out do each other.
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- (Ladakhi)

SA - What is coming?

- Lama (Buddhist spiritual teacher) is coming!

- You have a camera! Click a picture, please!
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A group of Lamas (Buddhist spiritual teachers/ monks) enter the ground in pairs, slowly descending the steps for a cleansing ritual. They are carrying different musical instruments like the Dung-chen (a pair of long Tibetan trumpets), the Tibetan cornet, Silnyen (cymbals struck horizontally), the Rolmo (cymbals struck vertically) and the Nga - a large ritual drum played with a sticks. These instruments are traditionally used by the Lamas during ceremonies and rituals. One of the Lamas in front of the group is carrying a large pipe with incense sticks burning at its tip.

http://www.tibetinfor.com.cn/tibetzt-en/xzyq/doc/0201.htm has more information regarding these various musical instruments.
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A group of Lamas (Buddhist spiritual teachers/ monks) enter the ground slowly for a cleansing ritual, carrying different musical instruments like the Dung-chen (a pair of long Tibetan trumpets) and other smaller trumpets, Silnyen (cymbals struck horizontally), the Rolmo (cymbals struck vertically) and the Nga - a large ritual drum played with a stick, traditionally used by them during ceremonies and rituals. One of the Lamas in front of the group is carrying a large pipe with incense at its tip.

The camera pans to show people witnessing the procession. They move around a wooden mast which is adorned with streamers and religious emblems, and the Lamas gather there. http://www.tibetinfor.com.cn/tibetzt-en/xzyq/doc/0201.htm .

emblem
incense
monastery
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ritual

A group of Lamas (Buddhist spiritual teachers/ monks) enter the ground slowly for a cleansing ritual, carrying different musical instruments like the Dung-chen (a pair of long Tibetan trumpets) and other smaller trumpets, Silnyen (cymbals struck horizontally), the Rolmo (cymbals struck vertically) and the Nga - a large ritual drum played with a stick, traditionally used by them during ceremonies and rituals.

One of the Lamas in front of the group is carrying a large pipe with incense at its tip. The camera pans to show people witnessing the procession. They move around a wooden mast which is adorned with streamers and religious emblems, and the Lamas gather at its base. http://www.tibetinfor.com.cn/tibetzt-en/xzyq/doc/0201.htm .

A cleansing ritual at the Disket Gompa (monastery) has just begun. The LCD screen of the camera has been flipped towards the children (mirrored). A boy tells Shaina Anand that a bhoot (ghost) will be arriving soon. Somehow the child doesn't seem scared of the fact that there will soon be a ghost amidst the crowd and is, in fact, excited about it. The droning sound of the religious musical instruments played by the Lamas (monks) of the monastery, continues in the background.
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- Now, here, a bhoot will come!

SA - Where will it come?

- (It) will come in two minutes! Wait for two minutes, now the bhoot will come!
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As a part of the cleansing ritual, one of the Lamas (Buddhist monk) is seen playing the Rolmo (cymbals struck vertically) and other is holding a long incense pipe. Some Lamas are seen in the back ground playing smaller trumpets. They are all standing around a wooden mast adorned with streamers and religious emblems. http://www.tibetinfor.com.cn/tibetzt-en/xzyq/doc/0201.htm

Recent Researches on the Himalaya by Prem Singh Jina has more information regarding these dances and rituals.
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The cleansing ritual is being carried out by a group of young and old Lamas who have gathered around a wooden mast adorned with Buddhist streamers and religious emblems at the Disket Gompa (monastery). They are seen playing various religious instruments like the Dung-chen (a pair of long Tibetan trumpets) and other smaller trumpets, Silnyen (cymbals struck horizontally), the Rolmo (cymbals struck vertically) and the Nga - a large ritual drum played with a stick.

http://www.tibetinfor.com.cn/tibetzt-en/xzyq/doc/0201.htm
excitement
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performance
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The cleansing ritual is being carried out by a group of young and old Lamas (monks) who have gathered around a wooden mast adorned with Buddhist streamers and religious emblems at the Disket Gompa(monastery). They are seen playing various religious instruments like the Dung-chen (a pair of long Tibetan trumpets)and other smaller trumpets, Silnyen (cymbals struck horizontally), the Rolmo (cymbals struck vertically) and the Nga - a large ritual drum played with a stick. The camera pans to show a Lama carrying a framed photograph of the religious leader Dalai Lama enters the square. The monotonous chant of the instruments continues.
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The camera pans down to a young boy standing with Shaina A. He requests her to flip the LCD screen of the camera. Another kid peeps into the screen to see himself clearly. And, when Shaina moves the camera to capture the Lamas (monks) ending the cleansing ritual in the background, the children jump and bring their hands in front of the screen.
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- Show me! (Hindi)

- (Ladakhi)
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The Lamas (monks) at the Gompa have just ended the cleansing ritual. A young girl is seen in the foreground. She shies away when she sees herself on the LCD screen that has been flipped (mirrored). The camera pans and zooms onto a Lama holding a long pipe with incense burning at the tip. Other Lamas are seen leaving the square, while a few young Lamas are entering carrying the Nga - a large ritual drum played with a stick.
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The Lamas (monks) at the Gompa have just ended the cleansing ritual. The Lamas are seen leaving the square, while a few young Lamas are entering carrying the Nga - a large ritual drum played with a stick. Everyone is settling down and getting ready for the next performance.
children
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A few children are looking into the LCD screen of the camera which has been flipped (mirrored) for them to virtually manoeuvre the camera. They are excited at seeing themselves on the screen, and they all peep out and move the others aside to get some 'screen space.' They are definitely enjoying making various sounds and different faces.
- (Ladakhi)
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monastery
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A few children are looking into the LCD screen of the camera which has been flipped (mirrored) for them to virtually maneuver the camera. They are excited on seeing themselves on the screen, and they all peep out and move the others aside to get some 'screen space'. They are definitely enjoying making various sounds and different faces.
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- (Ladakhi)
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A monotonous but fast paced cleaning dance is performed by young Lamas (monks) who wave sacred scarves in blue, white and red as a part of the cleansing process. The young Lamas are seen adorned with robes different from those of the elder ones. However, all of them have their robes embellished with Chinese silk brocade. Slowly, one by one, they begin to leave the square. Eventually the music and dance comes to an end.
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View of the square area of the Disket Gompa. A cleansing ritual has just ended and locals and outsiders are seen waiting for the other performances to begin. The place is decorated with sacred Buddhist colours. Some Lamas (monks) are seen seated among the audience. A Ladakhi man is seen wearing the traditional goncha (a crimson/ brown coloured robe).
- (Ladakhi Language)
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A few children are looking at the LCD screen of the camera which has been flipped (mirrored) and are thrilled to see themselves. A cleansing ritual has just ended, and locals and outsiders are seen settling themselves while waiting for the other performances to begin.
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- (Ladakhi Language)

SA - Salman Khan? isn't he Salman Khan?
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A cleansing ritual has just ended, and locals and outsiders are seen settling themselves while waiting for the other performances to begin. A Ladakhi woman wearing the traditional outfit, with a colourful, silk-brocade-embellished long piece of cloth on her back, passes the camera. Another local woman with the traditional embroidered headgear is seen sitting amongst the crowd.
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A cleansing ritual has just ended and locals and outsiders are seen settling themselves and waiting for the other performances to begin. A few Ladakhi woman with the traditional clothes, and one with the addition of the traditional embroidered headgear, are seen sitting amongst the crowd.
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A cleansing ritual has just ended and locals and outsiders, are seen settling themselves while waiting for the other performances to begin. Slowly the beats of the Nga (drum) can be heard. Someone in the crowd is seen with a Japa mala (the Buddhist rosary in hand).
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The camera pans to two Lamas blowing small trumpets. They are seen holding the Vajra to which a few Buddhist religious scarves are attached. In the foreground, there is a wooden mast adorned with streamers and religious emblems. The sounds of the Silnyen and the Rolmo (types of Buddhist religious symbols) are heard in the background.
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The scene opens with a shot of the crowd of locals sitting at the square in the Gompa (monastery). In the foreground is a wooden mast adorned with streamers and religious emblems. The camera pans to two Lamas blowing small trumpets resembling the Mongolian Bishgýýr . These two Lamas are seen adorned with a rich, long Chinese silk brocade on their shoulder. Other Lamas behind them are seen playing the Rolmo (a type of Buddhist religious cymbal.)
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SA - What?

- (Ladakhi)

SA - Where? What?

- See there! There!

SA - who is that?

- Bhoot!

SA - Bhoot?!
The camera is focused on two children who are looking into the LCD screen which has been flipped (mirrored.) They are enjoying peeping at the screen to see themselves on it, when suddenly one of the boys sitting next to Shaina Anand points towards the bhoot (ghost) which they had been discussing earlier.
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SA - This is the bhoot?
The camera pans to show the Lama , seen earlier carrying a pipe with incense burning at its tip, walking down the stone steps. The sounds of trumpets and the cymbals can be heard in the background.
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SA - This is the bhoot?! Who is this?
The camera pans to show a dramatic antic performed by three people, masked and dressed up as Bodhisattva Maitreya (commonly known as the 'Laughing Buddha') and his two acolytes - the brothers Asanga and Vasubandhu. The person dressed up as Maitreya turns out to be the bhoot (ghost) that the local children had been telling Shaina Anand about.
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A dramatic antic performed by three people, masked and dressed up as Bodhisattva Maitreya (commonly known as the 'Laughing Buddha') and his two acolytes, the brothers Asanga and Vasubandhu, has just begun. It is quite evident that the only way for the person wearing the Maitreya mask to see is through the gap in the mouth.
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- He cannot see anything, na?
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A dramatic antic performed by three people, masked and dressed up as Bodhisattva Maitreya (commonly known as the 'Laughing Buddha') and his two acolytes, the brothers Asanga and Vasubandhu, has just begun. The audience seems amused with the antics.
Buddha
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A dramatic antic performed by three people, masked and dressed up as Bodhisattva Maitreya (commonly known as the 'Laughing Buddha') and his two acolytes, the brothers Asanga and Vasubandhu, has just begun. The audience seems amused with the antics. The Lamas playing the musical instruments match the beats with the trio's steps. The three of them walk towards the square with a wooden mast adorned with streamers, religious emblems and flags. Eventually, the beats of the music change to a monotonous pattern.
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TV_protest songs

A dramatic antic performed by three people, masked and dressed up as Bodhisattva Maitreya (commonly known as the 'Laughing Buddha') and his two acolytes, the brothers Asanga and Vasubandhu, has just begun. The audience seems amused with the antics. The Lamas playing the musical instruments match the beats with the trio's steps. The monotonous pattern of the rhythm and the dance is interrupted with a sudden dance by the supposed acolytes. The three of them walk around the square with a wooden mast adorned with streamers, religious emblems and flags.
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A dramatic antic performed by three people, masked and dressed up as Bodhisattva Maitreya (commonly known as the 'Laughing Buddha') and his two acolytes, the brothers Asanga and Vasubandhu, has just begun. The audience seems amused with the antics. The masked person portraying the role of Maitreya, in order to see clearly, has to squint through the gap in the mouth of the mask. A Lama is seen holding a pipe with incense sticks burning at its end.
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A dramatic antic performed by three people, masked and dressed up as Bodhisattva Maitreya (commonly known as the 'Laughing Buddha') and his two acolytes, the brothers Asanga and Vasubandhu, is underway. The audience seems amused with the antics. The Lamas playing the musical instruments match the beats with the trio's steps. The monotonous pattern of the rhythm and the dance of the acolytes continues. 'Maitreya' is seen with the a japa mala (rosary) in his hand.
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A dramatic antic is being performed by three people, masked and dressed up as Bodhisattva Maitreya (commonly known as the 'Laughing Buddha') and his two acolytes, the brothers Asanga and Vasubandhu. Maitreya is now seen sitting on one of the steps. The camera focuses on a bunch of inquisitive children, sitting on the ground, who one by one turn to look at him with obvious awe on their faces.
Buddha
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A dramatic antic is being performed by three people, masked and dressed up as Bodhisattva Maitreya (commonly known as the 'Laughing Buddha') and his two acolytes, the brothers Asanga and Vasubandhu. Maitreya is now seen sitting on one of the steps, enjoying the performance presented by his acolytes. The camera focuses on a bunch of inquisitive children, sitting on the ground looking at him. Maitreya, in order to see clearly, has to squint through the gap in the mouth of the mask.
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A dramatic antic is being performed by three people, masked and dressed up as Bodhisattva Maitreya (commonly known as the 'Laughing Buddha') and his two acolytes, the brothers Asanga and Vasubandhu. The music, played by the other Lamas, stops and Maitreya gets up. One of the acolytes is seen saluting him, after which they leave the square.
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A dramatic antic performed by three people, masked and dressed up as Bodhisattva Maitreya (commonly known as the 'Laughing Buddha') and his two acolytes, the brothers Asanga and Vasubandhu, has just ended. 'Maitreya' in his true jolly nature, digs into his linen sack, removes a bag of candies, and throws a handful of them into the audience. The audience suddenly comes to life with excitement having seen the bag full of candies.
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A dramatic antic performed by three people, masked and dressed up as Bodhisattva Maitreya (commonly known as the 'Laughing Buddha') and his two acolytes, the brothers Asanga and Vasubandhu, has just ended. 'Maitreya' in his true jolly nature, digs into his linen sack, removes a bag of candies, and throws a handful of them into the audience. The children in the audience are seen calling out to him for some candies.
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- Excuse me!
ghost
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A dramatic antic performed by three people, masked and dressed up as Bodhisattva Maitreya (commonly known as the 'Laughing Buddha') and his two acolytes, the brothers Asanga and Vasubandhu, has just ended with 'Maitreya', in his true nature, distributing candies to the audience. Before he leaves the venue, he is seen joking with a Lama and two local men. The camera pans across the crowd consisting of locals and tourists.
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A dramatic antic performed by three people, masked and dressed up as Bodhisattva Maitreya (commonly known as the 'Laughing Buddha') and his two acolytes, the brothers Asanga and Vasubandhu, has just ended. The camera pans across the crowd consisting of locals, Lamas and tourists waiting for the next performance to begin.
Buddha
audience
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ghost
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A dramatic antic performed by three people, masked and dressed up as Bodhisattva Maitreya (commonly known as the 'Laughing Buddha') and his two acolytes, the brothers Asanga and Vasubandhu, has just ended. The camera pans to a young boy who, while peeping into the screen of the camera which has been flipped (mirrored) in order for him to see himself clearly, informs Shaina Anand that there would soon be more bhoot (ghosts) entering the ground for a performance.
- More bhoot (ghosts)! Morebhoot (ghosts) have come!

SA - Where?

- There!

SA - Does this bhoot come everyday?

- Yes.

SA - But now I'm getting scared!
audience
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A dramatic antic performed by three people, masked and dressed up as Bodhisattva Maitreya (commonly known as the 'Laughing Buddha') and his two acolytes, the brothers Asanga and Vasubandhu, has just ended. The camera pans to a young boy who informs Shaina Anand about the fact that more bhoot(ghosts) will soon be entering the ground for another performance. Shaina has flipped the LCD screen of the camera for the boys to see themselves on the screen. At Shaina's request, they make faces to imitate a bhoot.
SA - This bhoot, however, was a nice one! Now you imitate the bhoot!
audience
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A dramatic antic performed by three people, masked and dressed up as Bodhisattva Maitreya (commonly known as the 'Laughing Buddha') and his two acolytes, the brothers Asanga and Vasubandhu, has just ended. Shaina has flipped the LCD screen of the camera for the boys to see themselves on the screen. At Shaina's request, they make faces to imitate a bhoot. She plays along as they make scary faces.
audience
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A group of dancers enter the venue. They are wearing robes with a motif of Mahakala (a wrathful deity, most revered as the protector of Buddhist monasteries and often referred to as the 'Great Black One', having three eyes) and various Buddhist symbols like the vajra. They also have some text inscribed on their black hats. Lamas present at the venue are playing a few Buddhist religious instruments like the Dung-chen (a pair of long Tibetan trumpets), the Tibetan cornet, Silnyen (cymbals struck horizontally), the Rolmo (cymbals struck vertically) and the Nga - a large ritual drum played with a stick, traditionally used during ceremonies and rituals.
audience
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deity
monastery
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vajra

A group of dancers enter the venue. They are wearing robes with a motif of Mahakala (a wrathful deity, most revered as the protector of Buddhist monasteries and often referred to as the 'Great Black One', having three eyes) and various Buddhist symbols like the vajra. They also have some text inscribed on their black hats. Lamas present at the venue are playing a few Buddhist religious instruments like the Dung-chen (a pair of long Tibetan trumpets), the Tibetan cornet, Silnyen (cymbals struck horizontally), the Rolmo (cymbals struck vertically) and the Nga - a large ritual drum played with a stick, traditionally used during ceremonies and rituals. Locals and tourists look on.
audience
clothing
dance
deity
monastery
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musical instrument
performance
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vajra

A group of dancers are performing at the Gompa around a wooden mast adorned with streamers and religious emblems. A group of dancers enter the venue. They are wearing robes with a motif of Mahakala (a wrathful deity, most revered as the protector of Buddhist monasteries and often referred to as the 'Great Black One', having three eyes) and various Buddhist symbols like the vajra. They also have some text inscribed on their black hats. They are also seen carrying the vajra and some sort of a dagger with scarves attached to it. Lamas present at the venue are playing a few Buddhist religious instruments like the Dung-chen (a pair of long Tibetan trumpets), the Tibetan cornet, Silnyen (cymbals struck horizontally), the Rolmo(cymbals struck vertically) and the Nga - a large ritual drum played with a stick, traditionally used during ceremonies and rituals. They can be seen dancing to the rhythm in a monotonous pattern in the extreme background. Locals and tourists look on.
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ritual
vajra

A group of dancers are performing at the Gompa around a wooden mast adorned with streamers and religious emblems. A group of dancers enter the venue. They are wearing robes with a motif of Mahakala (a wrathful deity, most revered as the protector of Buddhist monasteries and often referred to as the 'Great Black One', having three eyes) and various Buddhist symbols like the vajra. They also have some text inscribed on their black hats. They are also seen carrying the vajra and some sort of a dagger with scarves attached to it. Lamas present at the venue are playing a few Buddhist religious instruments like the Dung-chen (a pair of long Tibetan trumpets), the Tibetan cornet, Silnyen (cymbals struck horizontally), the Rolmo(cymbals struck vertically) and the Nga - a large ritual drum played with a stick, traditionally used during ceremonies and rituals. Their dance seems to have picked up the pace. One by one they begin to exit the square.
audience
clothing
dance
deity
monastery
monk
musical instrument
performance
ritual
vajra

A group of dancers are performing at the Gompa around a wooden mast adorned with streamers and religious emblems. A group of dancers enter the venue. They are wearing robes with a motif of Mahakala (a wrathful deity, most revered as the protector of Buddhist monasteries and often referred to as the 'Great Black One', having three eyes) and various Buddhist symbols like the vajra. They also have some text inscribed on their black hats. They are also seen carrying the vajra and some sort of a dagger with scarves attached to it. Lamas present at the venue are playing a few Buddhist religious instruments like the Dung-chen (a pair of long Tibetan trumpets), the Tibetan cornet, Silnyen (cymbals struck horizontally), the Rolmo(cymbals struck vertically) and the Nga - a large ritual drum played with a stick, traditionally used during ceremonies and rituals. Their dance seems to have picked up the pace. One by one they begin to exit the square. Locals and tourists look on.
audience
clothing
dance
deity
monastery
monk
musical instrument
performance
ritual
vajra

A performance, for cleansing and removal of evil, by a group of dancers wearing robes with a motif of Mahakala (a wrathful deity), and hats, has just ended. Among the audience of locals and tourists, the Lamas who had been playing the Dung-chen (a pair of long Tibetan trumpets) are seen relaxing after the performance. A still image of the Dung-chen and the Lamas is taken.
audience
monastery
monk
musical instrument
performance

A masked performance has just begun. The performer enters, wearing the mask of a goat, and a long satin cloth of Buddhist religious colours from behind the head to the knees. Locals and tourists present at the Disket Gompa(monastery) look on.
audience
clothing
crowd
mask
monastery
performance
ritual

A masked performance has just begun. The performer, wearing mask of a goat, a long satin cloth of Buddhist religious colors from behind the head to the knees, makes an entry. The locals and tourists look on. A young Lama is seen passing the camera.
audience
clothing
crowd
mask
monastery
monk
performance
ritual

A masked performance has just begun. As the camera zooms in, a Lama is seen holding a camera while another is seen playing the Rolmo (cymbals, struck vertically) The camera pans to the performer wearing the mask of a goat, a long satin cloth of Buddhist religious colours from behind the head to the knees. He is seated on a piece of cloth on the ground. The performer is seen holding a double curved knife of some religious importance.
audience
clothing
knife
mask
monastery
monk
musical instrument
performance
ritual

A masked performance has just begun. As the camera zooms in, a Lama is seen holding a camera while another is seen playing the Rolmo (cymbals, struck vertically) The camera pans to the performer wearing the mask of a goat, a long satin cloth of Buddhist religious colours from behind the head to the knees. He is seated on a piece of cloth on the ground. The performer is seen holding a double curved knife of some religious importance. The camera zooms out to show a panoramic view of the Nubra Valley. A top shot of the Disket Gompa shows the audience gathered for the event in the square.
audience
clothing
knife
mask
monastery
monk
musical instrument
performance
ritual

The camera takes a top shot of the masked performer wearing the mask of a goat, and a long satin cloth of Buddhist religious colours from behind the head to the knees. He is located in the square. A Lama is playing the Rolmo (cymbals, struck vertically). Another Lama is seen with a long pipe with incense sticks burning at its end. The rhythm of the music gradually becomes faster.
audience
clothing
knife
mask
monastery
monk
musical instrument
performance
ritual

The camera zooms in on the masked performer wearing the mask of a goat, and a long satin cloth of Buddhist religious colours from behind the head to the knees. The performer is seated on a piece of cloth with a curved knife of some religious importance lying next to him. A Lama is playing the Rolmo (cymbals, struck vertically).
audience
clothing
knife
mask
monastery
monk
musical instrument
performance
ritual

The camera pans across a panoramic view of the Disket region in the Nubra Valley. A large number of people have gathered for the masked performance taking place at the Disket Gompa.
audience
crowd
mask
monastery
performance
ritual

A few Lamas are seen seated to watch the masked performance. Among them, a small girl is seen sleeping in the arms of another Lama. The camera pans to other children and young Lamas seated in the audience. A Lama is seen playing the Rolmo (cymbals played by striking them vertically against each other.)
audience
children
mask
monastery
monk
musical instrument
performance
ritual

Two Lamas are seen playing the Rolmo (cymbals played by striking them vertically against each other). The drone of the Dung-chen (a pair of long Tibetan trumpets) is heard in the background. The camera pans to show two Lamas playing the Dung-chen in a corner.
audience
clothing
monastery
monk
musical instrument
performance
ritual

The camera now focuses on group of locals, apparently in a rathermeditative mood, as the ritual of the masked performance at the Gompa is being carried out to get rid of evil spirits. The rhythm of the music gradually increases. The performer, wearing a mask that resembles a goat, is seen dancing in the square around a wooden mast adorned with religious emblems and streamers. The drone of the Dung-chen and the sound of the cymbals match rhythm with the performer's steps.
audience
clothing
dance
knife
mask
monastery
monk
musical instrument
performance
ritual

The performer, wearing a mask that resembles a goat, is seen dancing in the square around a wooden mast adorned with religious emblems and streamers. The drone of the Dung-chen and the sound of the cymbals match rhythm with the performer's steps, and the rhythm gradually slows. A Lama is seen holding a pipe with incense sticks burning at its end as a part of the ritual. As soon as the performance ends, the masked dancer, assisted by two Lamas, exits the area.
audience
clothing
dance
knife
mask
mast
monastery
monk
musical instrument
performance
ritual
streamer

The camera shows a top shot of the performance area at the Disket Gompa. The crowd is seen dispersing as the masked dance ceremony has just ended. In the extreme background is a view of the Nubra Valley.
audience
crowd
monastery
performance
ritual

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