Tenzin Quta- Inheritor of Rebe Dance of Dengqen County in Qamdo, Tibet

Tenzin Quta (丹增曲塔) is a renowned Tibetan Rebe Dance (热巴舞) artist and the second batch representative inheritor of the Dengqen Rebe Dance (丁青热巴舞) under the National Intangible Cultural Heritage program of China. Born in 1942 in Dengqen County (丁青县), Qamdo (昌都), he began his dance journey at the age of 17 and has dedicated his life to preserving and passing on the unique style of Rebe Dance, which was originally created by the founder Zhaga Si·Duoqiong (扎嘎司·多琼). Tenzin Quta has kept many traditional routines alive, including the iconic “One Drum” and “Three Drum” techniques.

Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

Tenzin Quta was born in 1942 in Dengqen County (丁青县), Qamdo (昌都), Tibet. At 17, he joined the Seza Township Rebe Dance Promotional Team (色扎乡热巴宣传队) where he began to learn the art form in-depth. He soon became skilled in the traditional choreography and was deeply influenced by the powerful and energetic style of Zhaga Si·Duoqiong (扎嘎司·多琼), the founder of Dengqen Rebe Dance.

Over the years, he won several awards for choreography and directing in the county, regional, and autonomous region art performances.

Artistic Style and Features

The Rebe Dance (热巴舞), particularly the Dengqen Rebe Dance (丁青热巴舞), is known for its high energy and dramatic presentation. Tenzin Quta’s performances embody a distinct style that preserves the dance’s traditional rhythms, including iconic routines such as the “One Drum” and “Three Drum” techniques. These drumming routines symbolize powerful Tibetan traditions and are infused with grace and vigor.

His choreography is a fusion of multiple art forms, combining singing, dancing, acrobatics, and qi gong (气功) techniques. This makes Rebe Dance a comprehensive art form, showcasing the diversity and creativity of Tibetan culture.

Key Contributions to the Preservation of Rebe Dance

After Dengqen Rebe Dance was officially included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2006, Tenzin Quta took on the responsibility of preserving and promoting the dance. Since his official recognition as a national-level inheritor in 2008, Tenzin Quta has been actively involved in the teaching and mentoring of new generations of dancers, ensuring that the dance continues to thrive. To date, he has taught over 40 apprentices, including his own son, Tsering Dazhuo (次仁达措).

In addition to his teaching, Tenzin Quta has performed and participated in various cultural exhibitions and events, contributing to the revival of Dengqen Rebe Dance from its endangered state. He has also received government subsidies for his efforts in preserving the cultural heritage, which reached 8,000 RMB/year by 2012.

Representative Works and Performance Style

Tenzin Quta’s representative works include:

  1. “Rebe Bell” (热巴铃) – A performance that highlights the melodic rhythms and the graceful movements that define the dance form.

  2. “Rebe Love” (热巴情) – This work demonstrates the emotional depth and expressive gestures of Rebe Dance, combining elements of Tibetan storytelling with the dance.

Tenzin Quta’s performances are known for their vibrant energy, which portrays the Tibetan people’s passion and spirit through rhythmic movements and dramatic expressions.

Legacy and Influence

Tenzin Quta’s dedication to Rebe Dance has cemented his place as a key figure in the dance’s preservation and transmission. His work has significantly contributed to the global recognition of Dengqen Rebe Dance (丁青热巴舞), ensuring that it is no longer in danger of being forgotten.

In 2008, Tenzin Quta was officially recognized as a national-level inheritor of Dengqen Rebe Dance (丁青热巴舞), and his work has been included in the Sixth National Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Inheritors’ Work Exhibition Month (第六届国家级非物质文化遗产代表性传承人记录工作成果展映月).