Tsetop, 80 years old, is one of the first batch of Tibetan opera inheritors certificated by the Ministry of Culture. Before retirement, he used to work at the Tibetan Opera Troupe of Tibet Autonomous Region. His great passion for Tibetan opera has not receded after retirement. For several years, he has worked at Chengguan District Nyangrain Folk Art Troup as a volunteer mentor.

On holidays and festivals, people from different places gather at Norbulingka and Zongjiao Lukang Park to appreciate Tibetan opera shows performed by art troupes and organizations. That has actually become a custom.

As the saying goes, “one minute of performance on stage, ten years of hard work off stage.” Behind the stage are a group of art lovers who are selflessly devoted to presenting the audience with splendid shows. Tsetop is one of them.

Tsetop, 80 years old, is one of the first batch of Tibetan opera inheritors certificated by the Ministry of Culture. Before retirement, he used to work at the Tibetan Opera Troupe of Tibet Autonomous Region. His great passion for Tibetan opera has not receded after retirement. For several years, he has worked at Chengguan District Nyangrain Folk Art Troup as a volunteer mentor.

In these years, Tsetop has educated over 300 students, all young amateurs of Tibetan opera. He once worried for the lack of successors. But now, with so many students, he has no such concerns or regrets any more.

“At night, I often make noises awakening my wife. I dream of teaching students singing and dancing. My wife tends to be awakened by my body movements and somniloquence. Tibetan opera is my life. Without it, my life will become meaningless,” said Tsetop.

This old man is quite happy about the fact that young people love Tibetan opera so much and governmental and Party officials spare no effort to protect and promote this art. The reason why he has worked as a voluntary mentor at Nyangrain Folk Art Troupe for several years is that he wants to promote the traditional Tibetan culture and make it passed down from generation to generation.

At such an advanced age, Tsetop is still unwilling to live a carefree life. He uses all his government allowance to buy costumes, props and food for students. When it came to his selfless contribution, Tsetop said calmly: “The Party and government attach constant importance to the protection and development of Tibetan opera. I only play a negligible role in popularizing Tibetan opera. I hope more people will come to know Tibetan opera, study it, and pass it down.”