Another Tibetan singer arrested, Banned from singing

[Ensapa]

Well, when will Tibetans learn to respect the law? Singing about the Dalai Lama in Tibet is like singing praises to the Nazis and Hitler in Germany, so why do it? then, when it is done and China arrests them, we get a nice sob story from Phayul, and then the cycle repeats itself the next incident. Oh well. What is new? Sometimes, I dont understand these tibetans...

Another Tibetan singer arrested, Banned from singing
Phayul[Saturday, August 18, 2012 20:57]
By Phuntsok Yangchen


File photo of arrested Tibetan singer Chogsel
DHARAMSHALA, August 18: Chinese authorities in eastern Tibet have arrested another Tibetan singer and banned him from singing on charges of threatening social stability.

The Dharamshala based Central Tibetan Administer said that Chogsel was arrested on July 29 from a cyber café in Siling city.

A veteran of four albums, he was currently working on his next album in collaboration with other famous Tibetan singers.

His first album titled ‘Dream of the ruddy faced Tibetan’ contains a tribute to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader.

As a consequence, Chogsel’s later albums were banned from sale and were confiscated by authorities from shops. A restaurant owner was also fined for playing his songs.

He has been accused of “inciting separation within nationalities” through his songs, and banned from singing. Facing imminent arrest in his hometown of Kham Nagshoe, the singer was forced to remain in Siling for the past two years.

There is no information of his whereabouts and wellbeing since his arrest.

Chogsel’s arrest is part of a wider crackdown on Tibetan intellectuals, writers, and artists, including singers and filmmakers.

Tibetans promoting Tibetan national identity and culture have been the target of China’s ongoing onslaught on intellectuals, especially after the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

On April 19, Lo Lo, a well known Tibetan singer was arrested in Yushul region of eastern Tibet on suspected charges of singing songs calling for Tibet’s independence.

The 29-year-old singer’s arrest came months after he released an album titled “Raise the flag of Tibet, sons of the snow.”

The title song of the album calls for independence of Tibet and reunion of the Tibetan people – messages that are common to the slogans raised by the 35 Tibetans who have self-immolated in Tibet since 2009.

“To promote loyalty to the Land of Snows, For the complete independence of Tibet, With a realised understanding of our objectives, Raise the flag of Tibet- sons of the snow,” a portion of the lyrics reads.

In mid February, another popular Tibetan singer, Ugyen Tenzin was arrested for praising the Dalai Lama and the elected leader of the Tibetan people, Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay.

[Tenzin K]

Tibetans in Tibet and in exile are reasserting their cultural identity and amplifying the voices of courageous singers, writers and bloggers who – in spite of an escalating crackdown since the Tibetan Uprisings of 2008 – are devoting their work to the enduring spirit of Tibetan resistance.

As the Tibetan poet and blogger Woeser wrote in August 2009: “….there has been a constant stream of books, magazines, articles and songs in the mother tongue. Tibetan writers have broken through the silence, beyond the terror, and even more of them are inspiring even more Tibetans”.

Much of the cultural resurgence focuses on the Tibetan identity and what it means to be Tibetan. With a strong assertion of the Tibetan-ness of the people, Tibetan culture has become a means whereby the Tibetan nation is being recreated and Tibetans are re-finding their voice.

The Chinese is very cautious and worried for any suspicious act of towards nation separation. After so many years the Chinese is still so much sensitive towards the Dalai Lama movement and his supporter. Whether is a treat the Chinese will not give a chance and causes the innocent to suffer.

[buddhalovely]

Before this a Tibetan singer was Arrested for politically charged songs

A 29-year-old Tibetan singer from eastern Tibet was arrested by Chinese authorities for singing politically sensitive songs that expressed longing for the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader.

Chogsel, who has released four albums and was known to be working in collaboration with other Tibetan singers, was reportedly arrested on July 29 in Siling city.

Chogsel’s songs such as “Dream of a ruddy faced Tibetan” praises the Tibetan exiled spiritual leader Dalai Lama, whom Beijing vilifies. His albums have been banned from sale and confiscated from shops for its lyrical odes to the exiled Buddhist leader.

Over the years, China has sporadically arrested many Tibetan singers who have sung songs with explicit and subdued political messages, and metaphorical songs for the Tibetan spiritual leader.

In April, Lo Lo was arrested for releasing his new album titled “Raise the Flag of Tibet, Sons of the Snow”, which carried overt themes of reunification with Tibetans in exile and political messages calling for Tibet’s independence from China.

In February, another Tibetan singer named Urgyen Tenzin was arrested for singing a song in praise of the Dalai Lama and leader of the Tibetan exile community Lobsang Sangay.