The Auspicious Tibetan Drekar: A Living Tradition of Blessings

Tibetan Plateau — Drekar is a traditional folk performance art that has flourished across the snow-covered highlands of Tibet. Typically performed at joyous and auspicious occasions — weddings, New Year celebrations, and groundbreaking ceremonies — this vibrant art form carries heartfelt wishes for success, good fortune, and prosperity.

During the Tibetan New Year, people eagerly await the recitation of Drekar blessings. On the first morning of the new year, it is customary for performers to arrive at doorsteps, delivering melodious chants of good wishes to welcome the household into a promising year ahead.

Drekar is not merely a performing art that showcases the richness of Tibetan folk culture; it is also a vessel of the highland people’s spirit, bringing joy and vibrancy to daily life. A skilled Drekar artist must master the arts of eloquent speech, melodious chanting, and graceful performance, using humour and profound storytelling to both entertain and enlighten.

Renowned Drekar artist Pema Tsering has dedicated himself to preserving and revitalising this tradition. Weaving together the origins, journeys, sights, and encounters embedded within the Drekar repertoire, he has infused the ancient art form with contemporary themes — ethnic harmony, respect for the military, and love for the people — bringing renewed vitality to a centuries-old tradition in the modern era.

Through the timeless verses of Drekar, the blessings of the highlands continue to echo, carrying messages of unity, peace, and joy into the hearts of all who listen.