On the fourth day of the first month on Tibetan calendar (March 2), a stage for performing Tibetan Opera was set in the courtyard of Tsomey Village Committees at Mar Town of Doilungdechen District in Lhasa City, which attracted lots of villagers to come and watch. Dressed with gorgeous costume, performers of Tsomey Tibetan Opera Troupe presented a visual feast to the locals. Xinhua reported.

Known as 'the living fossil of traditional Tibetan culture', Tibetan Opera boasts a history of more than 600 years. In the 17th century, it was separated from religious rituals and became a classical secular art of Tibet combining folk song, dance, storytelling, chant, acrobatics and religious performance.

Traditionally, Tibetan people will watch Tibetan Opera during Ongkor Festival, Shoton Festival and Tibetan Losar or New Year. In recent years, Tibet has paid much attention to developing folk opera troupes and establishing digital archives for Tibetan Opera. The number of Tibetan opera troupes has increased from less than 50 in 2009 to 133 in 2016.

Actresses of Tsomey Tibetan Opera Troupe prepare before the performance in Tsomey Village at Mar Town of Doilungdechen District in Lhasa City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Mar. 2, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Artists of Tsomey Tibetan Opera Troupe present a performance for the locals in Tsomey Village at Mar Town of Doilungdechen District in Lhasa City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Mar. 2, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

Villagers watch the performance in Tsomey Village at Mar Town of Doilungdechen District in Lhasa City, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Mar. 2, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]