THE IMPORTANCE OF TIBETAN LANGUAGE 

One of the subjects Chögyal Namkhai Norbu was focusing a lot in the last years was "The Message from Tibet through Songs and Dances". In 2014 Shang Shung Edizioni also 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 chosen 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 Tibetan sings and with their songs they make understand the given situation." (translation of an oral instruction of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu)  

 

Pagad: Kadrag Trayang

This is what I have been thinking
And this is what I have been singing
This is what I have been thinking
And this is what I have been singing
 
However I look at it, I see the need to study Tibetan well
         However I look at it, I see the need to study Tibetan well
                          It is necessary to study Tibetan well 
 
This is what I have been thinking
And this is what I have been been singing
This is what I have been thinking
And this is what I have been been singing
 
To develop Tibetan culture we need to rely on Tibetan language
         If we need to develop Tibetan culture, we need to study Tibetan well
                  To study Tibetan well we need good teachers
 
To develop Tibetan culture we need to rely on Tibetan language
         If we need to develop Tibetan culture, we need to study Tibetan well
                  To study Tibetan well we need good teachers
                                                     we need good teachers
This is what I have been thinking
And this is what I have been singing
This is what I have been thinking
And this is what I have been singing
 
All Tibetan children must study Tibetan well
         Ka, kha, ga nga, all the letters of the alphabet must be learned by heart
                  If you study well, you’re a good Tibetan child
 
All Tibetan children must study Tibetan well
         Ka, kha, ga nga, all the letters must be learned by heart
                  If you study well, you’re a good Tibetan child
 
This is what I have been thinking
And this is what I have been singing
This is what I have been thinking
And this is what I have been singing
 
Tibet has its own language, it is necessary to study our own language well
Tibet has its own Tibetan script, it is necessary to study Tibetan well
Not knowing our own language well and to speak another language is a shame
Tibet has its own language, it is necessary to study our own language well
Tibet has its own Tibetan script, it is necessary to study Tibetan well
Not knowing our own language well and to speak another language is a shame
                                            it’s a shame to speak another language
 
This is what I have been thinking
And this is what I have been singing
This is what I have been thinking
And this is what I have been singing
 
However I look at it, I see the need to study Tibetan well
         However I look at it, I see the need to study Tibetan well
                  It is necessary to study Tibetan well 

 

 

See the YouTube music video clip of this song "Pagad" about the importance of Tibetan language

 

 

See the KAITA Dancing of this song.