LEH: Ladakh Cultural Forum celebrated its 49th Foundation Day in the presence of chief guest Executive Councillor, Culture, LAHDC Leh, Stanzin Chosphel, and guests of honour president All Ladakh Gonpa Association, Ven Tsering Wangdu, and Prof. Dr Lobzang Tsewang at Matho Gonpa Leh Monday.
The day marks a day-long seminar on ‘Ten Fields of Knowledge’ (Rig-gNas bChu) in honour of late Prof. Jamyang Gyaltsen.
The programme was organized by Ladakh Cultural Forun in collaboration with Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, Ladakh Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Youth Welfare association Matho and Matho Gonpa.
Congratulating Ladakh Cultural Forum on its 49th Foundation Day, Executive Councillor Stanzin Chosphel lauded the efforts of the Forum in the preservation and promotion of the vast traditional and cultural heritage of Ladakh.
Chosphel also appreciated LCF for involving the monks from Matho monastery, the village community and especially the Matho Youth Welfare Association in organising such a grand foundation day celebration and a seminar in tribute to Prof. Jamyang Gyaltsen.
The president of the Ladakh Cultural Forum, Dr Sonam Wangchok, said that LCF was founded in 1976 by a hundred scholars and artists headed by late historian Tashi Rabgais to preserve and promote Ladakh’s rich cultural heritage imbedded in the ten fields of knowledge.
“On the 49th foundation day, we have made an attempt to honour all the artists and scholars from different villages for their unwavering services rendered for keeping alive the rich cultural tradition of Ladakh,” said Dr Wangchok.
He also informed that LCF will make an inventory of all the scholars, traditional doctors (amchis), astrologers, masons, carpenters, handicraft experts, folk singers and musicians, etc., to recognise their skills and services and to honour them during the golden jubilee celebration of LCF in 2026.
In his keynote speech the Deputy Secretary, Ladakh Art, Culture and Languages, Shri Tsewang Paljor highlighted the relevance of the ten fields of knowledge (Rig-gNas bCu) in today’s society in Ladakh.
He appreciated all the experts from different villages of Ladakh and requested them to impart their knowledges to the young minds of Ladakh, who are the guardians of Ladakh’s rich cultural heritage in the future.
Former MP Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, while speaking on the life and contribution of Prof. Jamyang Gyaltsen, appreciated LCF for 49 years of endeavour in preserving and promoting Ladakh’s cultural legacy. The president of LGA, Ven. Tsering Wangdu, also appreciated and congratulated LCF for celebrating its 49th Foundation Day.
In the first session of the seminar, four papers on ‘the ten fields of knowledge’ were presented by Dr. Tashi Dorjay, Amchi Padma Rigzin, Shri Tsetan Angchuk, and Ven. Stanzin Wangtak.
In the second session of the seminar, a panel discussion was chaired by Prof. Dr. Lobzang Tsewang, and the panelists included the director of Theatre Organisation, Shri Mipham Otsal, editor, Culture Academy, Dr Thupstan Nurboo, Khanpo Thinlas Chosphel, and Amchi Jigmed Mingyur, and moderated by Dr Stanzin Mingyur.
On the occasion, the Ladakh Culture Forum honoured Shri Tundup Dorjay Stakmo, who is also one of the vice presidents of the LCF, for recently receiving the prestigious state award of U.T. Ladakh.
Earlier, Tsering Sonam, the vice president of the Ladakh Cultural Forum, in his welcome speech, highlighted the scholars and artists available in the villages and the need for recognising their skills and expertise.
A cultural programme was also presented by the Ama Tsogspa (Women Association) of Matho, Shri Tsewang Rigzin (singer from Matho) and Shri Tsering Nurboo (singer from Sumoor Nubra).
