Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Jan. 27: Chinese authorities have released Tibetan singer Ah Sang months after detaining him again following a brief period of freedom in early August. Despite his release, the singer remains under constant surveillance, highlighting the continued restrictions placed on Tibetan artists, according to reports.
In a recently shared video message, Ah Sang and his wife, Lhamo, announced the forthcoming release of his second album, The Colour of Dreams. The singer said the album was the result of years of dedication and hard work. The couple expressed gratitude to supporters who stood by them during difficult times and appealed to listeners to support the album upon its release.
Ah Sang was first detained on July 8, 2025, alongside fellow Tibetan singer Palchung, after the two performed and shared the song Prince of Peace on the Chinese social media platform Kuaishou. The song, performed during local celebrations marking the 90th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, conveyed deep reverence for the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader. Chinese authorities reportedly deemed the performance politically sensitive, leading to their arrest. While Ah Sang has since been released, no information has emerged regarding Palchung’s whereabouts or current condition.
Ah Sang, whose real name is Tsugte, hails from Ngaba (Ch. Aba) Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan province, located in the traditional Tibetan region of Amdo. He lives with his wife, Lhamo, and their two sons.
Ah Sang and Palchung’s detention forms part of a broader and intensifying pattern of repression in Tibet, where Chinese authorities have increasingly targeted cultural and artistic expression. What once focused primarily on political activists and religious figures has expanded to include singers, writers, intellectuals, and ordinary civilians. In recent years, several prominent Tibetan artists and thinkers, including singers Gegjom Dorjee, Palden, Pema Trinley, Chakdor, and Lhundrub Drakpa; writers and intellectuals such as Gendun Lhundrup and Tashi Wangchuk; and respected scholar Rongwo Gangkar, have faced detention, surveillance, or imprisonment.
This widening crackdown reflects Beijing’s determination to suppress expressions of Tibetan identity, language, and cultural resilience, even when conveyed through music, literature, and art.
