TitleShazam, Nabji Drup: Third Day [Wide shot]
Additional title: Dance of the Four Stags
NamesCore of Culture (Organization) (Producer)Core of Culture (Organization) (Donor)
CollectionBhutan Dance Project, Core of Culture
Dates / OriginDate Created: 2005
Library locationsJerome Robbins Dance DivisionShelf locator: *MGZIDF 757A
TopicsDance -- BhutanFolk dancing -- BhutanDance -- Religious aspects -- BuddhismRites & ceremonies -- BhutanMasks -- BhutanFestivals -- BhutanDzongs -- Bhutan -- TrongsaTrongsa (Bhutan : District)Ritual and ceremonial dancing -- BhutanDeer dance -- BhutanAnimal dances -- BhutanMask dances -- Bhutan
GenresFilmed danceFilmed performances
NotesAdditional physical form: For close shot version, see: *MGZDF 757B.Content: The Nabji Drup begins after dark with the entrance of the GAPO-LA - the oldest man - who carries a phallus and engages in lewd banter with the audience.Content: Nabji Drup, Third Day (Dec. 26, 2005): Shazam - Dance of the Four Stags ; Dorje Lingpa Ngacham - The Drum Dance of Dorje Lingpa ; Ging Tang Tsholing - Dance of the Ging and Tsholing.Venue: Videotaped in performance at the Nabji Lhakang (on raised wall looking at the Lhakang along the right diagonal), in Trongsa, on Dec. 26, 2005.Acquisition: Gift; Core of Culture. NN-PDBiographical/historical: The festival is held in honor of Guru Rinpoche, the saint who introduced Buddhism in the 8th century and to commemorate the establishment of the Nabji temple. -- Bhutan Travel Club website.
Physical DescriptionBorn digitalExtent: 1 video file (11 min.) : sound, color
DescriptionA subjugation dance attributed to the first Namkhai Nyingpo. It commemorates the story from the life of Guru Rinpoche who subjugated the God of Wind - who had been creating much unhappiness and dissatisfaction amongst men. Having conquered the spirit, the Guru then rode his mount of a White Stag and gave blessings to people throughout the country, thus restoring peace and harmony to all. The dance thus subdues evil and creates benefits for all who witness it.
Shazam: The Dance of the Four Stags is a re-enactment of an auspicious incident in the life of Guru Rinpoche, the great 8th Century sage who is credited with introducing Buddhism to Bhutan as he journeyed through the country to and from Tibet. Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) is also known as the great subjugator of those local deities and spirits who resisted the spread of Buddhism, and, having subdued them to his will, he forced them to take an oath that henceforth they would become protectors of the Dharma, thus turning his one-time opponents into staunch allies of the faith. The Dance of the Four Stags refers to one such contest in which Guru Rinpoche subdued the King of the Wind, the ruler of the Earth-Spirits (sadag) who dominated the North-western direction and who had been causing much trouble and strife amongst the people of those times. Having subdued and conquered this powerful spirit Guru Rinpoche took possession of his mount, a great Stag, and rode around the land bestowing blessings upon the people and restoring a period of peace and prosperity for all. The dance of the Four Stags was revealed by the first incarnation of Nam Nying (Namkhai Nyingpo) who created the Stag masks as a way to commemorate this event. As well as being a subjugation dance having the effect of warding off evil influences in the place where it is performed, the dance is also seen as having the beneficial effect of restoring peace and harmony in the lives of those who witness its performance.
Type of ResourceMoving image
IdentifiersNYPL catalog ID (B-number): b19808609Universal Unique Identifier (UUID): 82016e30-e377-0130-042a-3c075448cc4b
Copyright NoticeCore of Culture
Rights StatementThis item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
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