Royal Academy of Performing Arts

Royal Academy of Performing Arts

Abbreviation	RAPA
Formation	1952 (1952)
Type	Government body
Legal status	Active
Purpose	Cultural preservation and promotion
Location	Thimphu, Bhutan
Coordinates	27°29′N89°38′E / 27.48°N 89.64°E / 27.48; 89.64
Region served	Bhutan
Official language	Dzongkha, other languages of Bhutan
Principal	Tshering Zangmo T
Parent organization	Ministry of Home Affairs (Bhutan)
Affiliations	Government of Bhutan

The Royal Academy of Performing Arts (RAPA) renamed as the Traditional Performing Arts and Music Division ^[1] is a Bhutanese government body within the Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development, ^[2] that supports the preservation of traditional Bhutanese culture. ^{[3] [4]} It was founded in 1954 ^[5] under the initiative of the Third Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. In 1967, it was institutionalised as an academy and the Royal Dance troupe was its creation. ^[6] The Academy is located in Thimphu, along Chhophel Lam. ^[7]

Activities

The Academy trains young dancers and musicians in both religious and secular folk music and dance. ^[8] The Academy also documents and performs live songs and dances from Bhutan's many diverse regions – from modern rigsar to centuries-old genres – and publishes its collections. ^[9]

The professional dancers of the Academy hold performances during the annual Thimphu Tsechu dance festival held at Tashichho Dzong. Throughout the year, its members give one-hour performances for guests and tour groups on request. ^{[6] [8] [10]} The Academy also hosts public dance practices ahead of major events, such as the 2011 royal wedding, ^[11] and performs abroad. ^[12]

Leaders of the Academy further participate in international private nonprofit organizations promoting and preserving traditional Bhutanese music and culture. ^{[13] [14]}

See also

• Music of Bhutan
• Culture of Bhutan

References

1. "Traditional Performing Arts and Music Division – Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development" . Retrieved 2025-02-24.
2. "Department: Culture: Divisions". Nangsi Lhenkhag – Ministry of Home & Cultural Affairs Online. Government of Bhutan . Retrieved 2011-10-15.
3. Ardussi, John; Pommaret, Françoise (2007). Bhutan: Traditions and Changes. Brill's Tibetan Studies Library. BRILL. p. 3. ISBN   978-90-04-15551-0 . Retrieved 2011-10-15.
4. Kelly, Sanja; Walker, Christopher; Dizard, Jake (2008). Countries at the Crossroads: a Survey of Democratic Governance. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 96. ISBN   978-0-7425-5899-1 . Retrieved 2011-10-15.
5. Leiter, Samuel L. (2007). Encyclopedia of Asian Theatre: A-N. Vol. 1. Greenwood Press. p. 61. ISBN   978-0-313-33530-3 . Retrieved 2011-10-15.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
6. Brown, Lindsey; Bradley Mayhew; Stan Armington; Richard Whitecross (2009). Bhutan. Penguin. p. 106. ISBN   978-1-74059-529-2 . Retrieved 2011-10-16.
7. "Royal Academy of Performing Arts". Lonely Planet online. Retrieved 2011-10-16.
8. Brown, Lindsay; Armington, Stan (2007). Bhutan. Country Guides (3 ed.). Lonely Planet. pp. 61, 106, 113. ISBN   978-1-74059-529-2 . Retrieved 2011-10-15.
9. "Case Study Report: Bhutan" (PDF). Asia/Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU). 2009. p. 4. Retrieved 2011-10-15.
10. Dorje, Gyurme (1999). Tibet Handbook: with Bhutan (2 ed.). Footprint Travel Guides. p. 840. ISBN   1-900949-33-4 . Retrieved 2011-10-15.
11. "A Gift from the Sacred Past". Bhutan Observer online. 2011-10-11. Archived from the original on 2011-10-13. Retrieved 2011-10-14.
12. "Bhutan – Dance Performance". University of Texas at El Paso online. 2008-07-08. Retrieved 2011-10-16.
13. "Advisory Board". Music of Bhutan. Music of Bhutan Research Center online. Archived from the original on 2012-09-08. Retrieved 2011-10-15.
14. "About Us". Music of Bhutan. Music of Bhutan Research Center online. Archived from the original on 2012-09-04. Retrieved 2011-10-15.