By Tsering Youdon ( Ex-TIPA)
One person’s journey through life encompasses countless stories. Some are told by others, while some we are fortunate enough to witness ourselves. This is one such story of Gen Lobsang Samten la—a story in which I as a student of his was privileged to play a very small part.
As we mourn his passing on July 11th 2026, I feel compelled not only to grieve his loss but also to celebrate the remarkable person he was and to bring greater awareness to the extraordinary journey of his life.
Gen Lobsang Samten la was born in July 5th 1957 in Tibet and joined the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) India in 1974. When I arrived at TIPA in the early 1980s, the institute was graced by many celebrated artists whose performances captivated audiences with their extraordinary talent. Although my curiosity about these renowned artists was often restrained by my youthful shyness, I always appreciated their warmth, kindness, and welcoming smiles.
Among those distinguished artists was someone affectionately known by the nickname “Tiny”— or Gen Lobsang Samten la. Others may know the story behind that nickname, but there was nothing “tiny” about his presence. Whether on stage or off, he commanded attention through his artistry, character, and quiet confidence.
Gen Lobsang Samten la was one of the finest Tibetan performing artists of his generation. He belonged to a generation of artists who received its knowledge and artistic training directly from the few surviving masters of traditional Tibetan performing arts who escaped Tibet following China’s invasion of Tibet in 1959. As a direct inheritor of this invaluable cultural legacy, he dedicated himself to preserving and passing it on to future generations. His profound knowledge, extensive experience, and lifelong study of Tibetan performing arts ultimately led to his appointment as the Artistic Director of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts in India.
During my twenty years at TIPA, I came to know Gen Lobsang Samten la as a man of few words—intelligent, humble, and exceptionally gifted in his craft. Those who shared the stage with him would undoubtedly agree that the characters he portrayed were both commanding and unforgettable. His remarkable sense of humor and his ability to weave creativity into every performance distinguished him not only as an outstanding artist but also as an extraordinary individual. He was fearless in his artistic expression, and there was never any predicting what brilliance would emerge once he became immersed in a role.
By the time I was ready to perform as a junior artist, Gen Lobsang Samten la had been appointed Artistic Director of TIPA. Under his leadership and guidance, TIPA sustained its mission to preserve and promote Tibetan culture through performing arts. With many of its experienced artists gone and newly trained artists often remaining briefly before moving on, maintaining the legacy of TIPA presented an unforeseen challenges. However, As the artistic director of TIPA Gen Lobsang Samten la remained steadfast in strengthening TIPA’s artistic standards, mentoring young artists, and ensuring that the authentic traditions of Tibetan performing arts would endure despite China’s continued efforts at the erasure and distortion of Tibetan culture through performing arts.
In 2019, Gen Lobsang Samten la moved to San Francisco with his wife after retiring as the artistic director of TIPA. Although he had retired from his official position, his commitment to preservation of Tibetan culture never diminished. His knowledge, experiences, and insights in the Traditional Tibetan performing arts, music and Opera serves as a valuable source against the Sinicization of Tibetan culture through performing arts by China. He spoke courageously about issues that concerned him, including the ways in which Lhakar Gorshey was, in his view, drifting away from the essence of authentic Tibetan cultural traditions. He generously shared his knowledge with anyone who sought his guidance and remained, until his final days, a humble scholar, dedicated teacher, and true artist.
Gen Lobsang Samten la devoted his life to one purpose: the preservation and promotion of Tibetan culture.. His knowledge, influence, dedication, and contributions to Tibetan performing arts were immense. Although he carried the nickname “Gen Tiny la” throughout his life, there was nothing small or tiny about his legacy. He lived a life of purpose, integrity, and service—a life whose impact will continue to inspire generations of Tibetan artists and all those who cherish the rich cultural heritage of Tibet.
(Views expressed are her own)
The author is a former artist of Tibetan institute of Performing Arts. Her Tibetan drinking song composition “Changshay” remains one of the most liked changshay throughout Tibetan communities. She continues to work towards preservation and promotion of Tibetan culture in San Francisco, USA where she is currently based.
