TECHUNG is a half an hour documentary film highlighting the world renowned Tibetan musician, singer and composer, Tashi Dhondup Sharzur and his indomitable spirit in educating Tibetan exile kids and toddlers about our literature and language through songs and music. This film will also explore the conflicting realities of a gifted Tibetan artist who struggles to live a modest life while preserving one of the oldest arts on this planet. With the help of numerous archived images and videos, this film aims to explore the current status of Tibetan arts and culture in exile through an artiste's world. It effectively highlights the complexities and spirits of exile Tibetans in passing down their rich cultural heritage to the younger generation Tibetans who are born and being raised in exile. For more about Tashi Dhondup visit www.techungc.com.

WHY THIS FILM: Standard Tibetan population on this planet is six million while that of China's is 1.3 billion. Very recently, China introduces Chinese language as the only medium of instruction for Tibetan schools and institutes across the Amdo region, one of the three traditional provinces of Tibet. Many intellectuals sense this as a beginning of final nailing into the coffin of Tibetan identity. HH the Dalai Lama, out of sheer desperation alarmed the world, 'Whether knowingly or unknowingly some kind of cultural genocide is taking place inside Tibet nowadays.' Although Tibetan institutes in India and abroad work hard to keep our language intact, but it always remain a major challenge when we are already a marginalized people in exile. Sadly as of now the Han Chinese population in Tibet had already surpassed those of Tibetans. Therefore, at this crucial moment, Tashi's attempt to educate Tibetan kids about our roots is in fact very timely if not late.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKER: Tashi Wangchuk studied filmmaking (MFA) from the State University of New York, Buffalo under Fulbright Scholarship. He also has a Masters Degree in Economics from Garhwal University, India. Along with his filmmaker partner Tsultrim Dorjee, produced and directed two Tibetan feature films- 'Phun Anu Thanu' & 'Richard Gere is My Hero'; two documentaries- 'Democracy in Exile' and 'Miss Tibet in Exile'; and, several short films including, 'The Gentleman of San Francisco' & 'Mirage in New York'. They are also the winner of India's prestigious film grant- Doordarshan, Ford Foundation and Washington DC based art grant- Rowell Fund. In 2007, they are awarded an honorary souvenir for their film- 'Democracy in Exile' by the Tibetan Parliament in India. Their latest feature film 'Richard Gere is my Hero' is screened at numerous film festivals around the world and is now available on Netflix.com. For more detail visit www.tibetanfilms.com.

TOTAL BUDGET NEEDED: $9,890 USD

We're therefore requesting for donation for our film - TECHUNG. We've also attractive complimentary gifts for our donors.

1. Below US $ 9 - Thank you for your kind contribution.
2. Above US $ 10 - Personalized thank you mail from the filmmaker + online access to our final film.
3. Above US $ 80 - Personalized thank you mail from the filmmaker + online access to our final film and DVD+ Techung's latest musical CD, Semshae with autograph + thank you credit at the end of the film.
4. Above US $ 250 - Personalized thank you mail from the filmmaker + online access to our final film and DVD + Techung's latest musical CD, Semshae with autograph + thank you credit at the end of the film + Tshirt especially ordered for the donar.
5. Above US $ 500 - Personalized thank you mail from the filmmaker + online access to our final film and DVD + Techung's latest musical CD, Semshae with autograph + thank you credit at the end of the film + Tshirt especially ordered for the donar + DVD copy of the director's latest feature film- Richard Gere is My Hero

DONATE NOW www.friends-of-tibet.org

Click the image to send a free Ojolie ecard "Roof of the World" with a message of peace, featuring music by Techung