1 digital video file (18 min.): digital, stereo., H.264 file.
Summary
This dance is only performed in two places, at Yungdrung Choeling and Beling - just further along the hillside. The name seems to refer to six pairs though this performance only showed 11 dancers. We had heard that it used to be performed at Pedsheling (Pesling) and have filmed an old man - Ap Men Dorjji who performed it from memory - though he is now over 85 years old. He is trying to restore the dances of the Pedsheling Drubchen. We have worked with Ap Dorji - an 85 year-old man who danced Bep Cha Drug over forty years ago at the last performed Padtselling Drubchen. According to Ap Dorji, this is a celebration dance (it follows a subjugation dance at Padtshelling) - where he remembers the following Eight sections: 1. Lamdoe 2. Ngar-dung 3. Bep Cha-drug 4. Chi-len 5. Nang-len 6. Sho-druk 7. Zhey-tab 8. Zuel-cham These show some similarities to the sections mentioned here - but more research needs to be done on names and steps performed.
This was the first time that a general meeting of the various groups belonging to a single tradition had ever been held in Bhutan. Held at the request of Core of Culture Dance Preservation, the Meeting took place at Yungdrung Choeling Dzong - the seat of the mummified remains of Pema Lingpa himself - and hence a very auspicious venue.
Programme for the Peling Champa Meeting: Yungdrung Choeling Dzong, First Day (May 16, 2007): Shinjey Phomo - by monk dancers of Yungdrung Choeling, Trongsa ; Peling Chaktshel - by lay dancers of Korphu, Trongsa ; Beb Chadruk - by monks and lay dancers of Yungdrung Choeling ; Lunch Break ; Zhungdra (folk dance) by ladies of Yungdrung Choeling, Trongsa ; Dramitse Ngacham by the lay dancers of Dramitse, Mongar ; Zha-nag Phurcham (and Durdag) by the monks and lay dancers of Yungdrung Choeling, Trongsa ; Zhungdra by lady dancers of Yungdrung Choeling, Trongsa.
Only one camera was used to record the main dances during the day.
Access (note)
Open.
Event (note)
Videotaped in performance at the Yungdrung Choeling Dzong, in Trongsa, Bhutan (upper balcony looking along the diagonal sinister), on May 16, 2007.
Source (note)
Core of Culture.
Title
Bep Cha Drug. Peling Champa Meeting [electronic resource].
Imprint
2007.
Country of producing entity
Bhutan.
Series
Bhutan Dance Project, Core of Culture.
Access
Open.
Performer
Performed by the troupe of monks and lay dancers from Yundrung Choeling Dzong, Trongsa.
Event
Videotaped in performance at the Yungdrung Choeling Dzong, in Trongsa, Bhutan (upper balcony looking along the diagonal sinister), on May 16, 2007.