Tibetan opera performance from Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture received a “special award” at the Gansu Provincial Theater Show, Gansu News reported.

“Thangtong Gyalpo”, a large-scale Amdo Nanmute Tibetan Opera, was created by Gannan’s Tibetan Song and Dance (Gansu Tibetan Opera Troupe), who took three years to finish it. The performance follows the lifelong pursuit of faith and great exploits of Thangtong Gyalpo, who is famous in Tibetan history as a bridge architect, founder of Tibetan Opera and Tibetan medicine expert. It also shows the historical progress of human civilization on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and reflects on the historical unity between Tibetans and Han ethnic groups in China. 

Adopting modern stage lighting, the play’s artistry has reached a high standard.

In 2015 it received support from the National Endowment for the Arts and won several awards at the Fourth China Drama Festival in October, including awards for best screenwriter, stage manager and costumes.

Over a month after the show was staged, 24 outstanding plays have taken part in this joint performance in Lanzhou, capital city of northwest China’s Gansu Province. This was the largest and most professional show held in the province.