Artist description Techung sings and performs Tibetan music. He also collaborat with other Western musicians to produce new music that inspires listerners to believe in Freedom and Human Rights.

Music Style Tibetan

Musical Influences Tibetan, Indian, Western Music

Artist History Techung is a Tibetan singer/ songwriter born and raised in India. He and his young family currently live in the United States. Techung is best known for his performances of traditional Tibetan music, dance and opera. As a member of Chaksampa Tibetan Dance and Opera Company, and he performed at all four Tibetan Freedom Concerts as well as at Carnegie Hall. He uses his formal name Tashi Dhondup with Chaksampa, and his childhood nickname Techung in all his solo recording works. His music has been received with high acclaim and deep audience appreciation from many and varied listeners. Techung became a child opera star at age 14. In 1975 he went on the first ever international Tibetan performing arts tour. This tour took him to USA, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Australia, and Singapore. Techung had leading roles in dance and opera performances at the Institute, and in their tours of Tibetan settlements and around the world. He eventually became a teacher at the Institute.In 1987 Techung left the Institute to collaborate with Studio 7, a theatrical group in Katmandu. He went on to work in other major theatrical productions including Caravan of Dreams in Texas, and "In Xanadu," the Shadow Light Production in San Francisco. Techung pursued post-graduate studies at UC Santa Cruz. In 1989 he and two other former TIPA artists founded the Chaksampa Tibetan Dance and Opera Company. He acted as the artistic director.Most recently, Techung has been exploring and enjoying home studio recording, while taking care of his three children. He feels very passionately about recording Tibetan freedom songs. Techung?s music has been known to uplift the spirit of the Tibetan people and to inspire resistance to the brutal Chinese occupation of Tibet. He also appreciates the power of music to preserve Tibetan culture. He wholeheartedly welcomes other peoples and other nations to strongly support the Tibetan cause. Moreover, Techung asserts that the Tibetan people must necessarily be the heart and soul of the struggle for Tibetan independence and freedom. Time is running out as China seeks to obliterate Tibetan culture, yet Techung and his music offer hope and commitment that his people will once again become a free nation.A Brief Introduction To Tibetan MusicTibetans cherish music in their daily lives to express their reverence for religion, family, friends, and nature. Tibet has become well known for its Buddhist culture, yet very little is known about the lay arts, especially music. Music was a vibrant part of Tibetan culture prior to the Chinese occupation of Tibet. Tibetans have always incorporated music into almost every aspect of their daily lives. Music is part and parcel of everything from the most sacred ceremonies to drinking chang beer with friends. There are songs for farming, nomads, constructions, travelers, herders, water gathers, and civil servants.

Group Members Miguel Frasconi:Keyboard sampler, mbira, percussionJim anti Owen: Drum set, tabla and congasKit Walker: Keyboard, percussion programming and arrangementsGeoffrey Gordo: drums and percussion

Instruments Dranyen, Tibetan lute, Piwang, violene, Lingbu, flute

Albums Sky Treasure-New Release, Yarlung, Tibetan Songs of Love and Freedom, Changshay, Renewal

Press Reviews "Tashi "Techung" Dhondup is an exceptional Tibetan musical talent; rigrouslytrained as an opera "star" by the grand masters of Lhamo, the traditionalTibetan opera, at the Tibetan Institute of Perfoming Arts, and with alife-long background in Tibetan folk music. In recent years, he has writtenand performed dozens of new songs. While each songs appears unmistakablyTibetan and traditional, they are in reality modern compositions withcontemporary lyrics, often his own. "Yarlung" is an outstanding example ofnew Tibetan music that will reach a global audience.Tenzin N. TethongChairman, Committee of 100 for Tibet,former Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and "Kalon Tripa" of theTibetan Government in Exile.

Location Pacifica, CA - USA

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