The longest scroll painting detailing Tibetan Opera Drowa Sangmo is put on display at the Community Art Center in Tibet's regional capital, Lhasa. [Photo/VTIBET.com]

 A visitor takes a photo of the scroll painting. [Photo/VTIBET.com]

A scroll painting detailing Tibetan Opera Drowa Sangmo has been put on display at the Community Art Center in Tibet's regional capital, Lhasa.

It's part of an exhibition titled "Greeting the 19th CPC National Congress, ode to profound Chinese culture."

The new scroll painting highlights Drowa Sangmo, one of the eight classic Tibetan operas.

"It took me more than a year to finish the 27.42-meter-long painting. I visited many regions of Tibet to collect materials and read historical literature on Drowa Sangmo. But most importantly, I spoke with lots of local opera performers to better complete my drawing," said Huang Jialin, the man who painted the scroll.

Considered a 'living fossil' of traditional Tibetan culture, Tibetan opera has developed over the centuries. With a history of more than 600 years, the opera usually tells folk tales, historical legends and Buddhism classics. It combines folk songs, dance, storytelling, chanting, acrobatics and religious performances.

"With unique historical and cultural values, traditional opera is an important way to keep Tibetan culture alive, and should be preserved and passed down to future generations. This is why I wanted to detail it in a painting, as it can provide valuable research material for Tibetan opera researchers both from home and abroad," Huang added.

Editor: Tenzin Woebom