Samten Dhondup, a renowned Opera Master in Exile, has made a profound impact on the world of performing arts, with his influence and outreach extending far and wide.
Born to a Tibetan Guerrilla father and a farmer mother in Mustang, Nepal, Samten's early life was marked by the presence of resistance fighters in the region. Following the closure of the camps in 1972, his father relocated to Kathmandu, where he found employment in a carpet factory.
At the tender age of nine, Samten was sent to the TCV in Dharamsala for his education. However, his true passion for performing and acting began as a means to escape attending classes. When he approached the principal to request a transfer to the TIPA for a Tibetan Opera education, he was met with skepticism, with the principal inquiring about his basic qualifications.
Samten cleverly responded that, as a child, he had learned to play the flute. This response impressed the principal, and the TCV subsequently sponsored his three-year course at the TIPA.
Throughout his illustrious career, Samten has traveled extensively with the troupe, performing on stages around the world. Today, he dedicates his time and expertise to mentoring the next generation of artists at the TIPA, ensuring the preservation and continuation of Tibetan Opera for years to come.
