In the last years Chögyal Namkhai Norbu was focusing a lot on “The Message from Tibet through Songs and Dances”. In 2014 Shang Shung Publications published a book by Chögyal Namkhai Norbu called “The Message from Tibet through Songs and Dances” in which he presented the first 108 songs related to various aspects of Tibetan culture also with the English translation of the Tibetan texts.
Here is one song that speaks about the importance of Tibetan language. Rinpoche writes in his book about the meaning of Tibetan songs and dances:
“These songs and dances, which are strongly related to the ancient and modern culture of Tibet, are very valuable since they have the important quality of contributing directly and indirectly to the preservation of the different aspects of the Tibetan culture in our world. For this reason I wish to thank all these young artists.”
Rinpoche says about the song “Pagad”
“Pagad means “The language of the fathers”. The Tibetan language is very important – we need to study Tibetan. In order to spread and develop Tibetan culture it is indispensable to study and learn Tibetan language. If we want to study Tibetan, we need to teach it. This is what I think and what this song is about.
Young Tibetans need to study Tibetan and need to memorize the Tibetan alphabet. This is what I think and what this song is about.
Tibetans need to study their language and also the Tibetan script. As you know, Tibetans in official schools have to speak Chinese and not Tibetan. Even if they know Tibetan very well, they cannot use it as Chinese is the official language. If we go ahead in that way, the Tibetan language will be finished after one generation. For this reason the Tibetans sing and with their songs they make understand the given situation.” (translation of an oral instruction of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu)
See the YouTube music video clip of this song “Pagad” about the importance of Tibetan language
