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Singing and dancing is a hobby and her childhood dream. Her passion in
singing is driven by devotion in attempting to bring joy to others
through her music. Through her performances, she hopes to reach her
audience and join other Tibetan singers in promoting Tibetan cultural
awareness. She is a rising star waiting to shine. Her recently released
album is destined to make a big splash and a great addition to her
already floating CD called Yumgi Kadrin (Mother's Kindness) released
in 2004.
Sonam Palkyi's comment
I got many wonderful experiences which have given me nice feelings and a
great self confidence as well as the strength to sing and dance, to
share the beautiful rich culture and tradition of Tibet with the rest of
the world.
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Facts about Sonam Palkyi |
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Name:
Surname:
Date of birth:
Place of birth: |
Sonam Palkyi Yeshe Khando
Khamritshang
15th January 1984
Wil, SG, Switzerland |
Hobbies:
Languages: |
Singing, dancing, travelling and playing soccer
Tibetan, German, Swiss-German, English and French |
Background
Ever since Sonam Palkyi was little, she always liked singing and
dancing. She would burst into a song and dance every time any music was
played. She would dance to Tibetan, English and even Indian songs. Sonam
has appeared on stage since she was 4 years old. She's been dancing
Tibetan folklore songs for the Dotoe Chushi Gangdrug Association and was
already as a small child, one of the leading dancers in her group. In
addition to this she was famous and popular for her Indian dances, which
she learned by herself. She was recognised early in life as a naturally
talented singer and dancer. Her parents are members of the Dotoe Chushi
Gangdrug Association and in 1997 her father became the president of the
DCG Community in Switzerland. They always took her along with them to
the practice sessions, since she was 4 years old. From there she not
only developed her great interest in Tibetan performing arts, but also
drew inspiration to contribute significantly to the rich Tibetan culture
and tradition.
Tenzin Pema
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One of Sonam's first stage singing appearances was in Switzerland
where she performed in front of an audience of 800 people at the
Dotoe Chushi Gangdrug Festive celebrated in September every year, of
which she's a member. According to Sonam, at the time of |
her first public performance, she wasn't really ready as she used to
sing only at home. So on the day of the festival her parents wanted her
to sing on stage as they truly believed that she had the talent for it.
But still Sonam couldn't decide as she didn't think she was good enough
for singing but from then on everything moved very fast. Her mother
looked for a musician who played keyboards and asked him to lead her
daughter on stage. Sonam tried to persuade her parents that she should
not participate, but she couldn't refuse them, as she knew that they
would be upset, and after all she knew they really trusted her and would
only want the best for their own child. And however she believes, when
parents say, "it can only go well…." After only a short time of
practising, finally her name was announced and she nervously went on
stage with her musician, Tsepun Tersey. When she was finished the
audience clapped so loudly and with such jubilation that even she
couldn't believe it. People, both young and old came to her and
congratulated her whole-heartily for her wonderful performance,
motivating her to continue with her singing. From there she gained the
strength and inspiration to develop her singing, knowing that music was
something special and in performing it, she could make the people happy.
Sonam has performed in Switzerland, Italy, France, Germany, England,
Austria and Nepal so far. |
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Roots & Family
In the sixties, a lot of Tibetans found a new home in Switzerland after
the occupation of Tibet by the Chinese in 1959. Switzerland somehow
looked similar to Tibet, with its nice nature, green, beautiful
mountains, valleys and forests. The Swiss nation had kindly granted a
home to these Tibetan refugees and nowadays more than 3,000 Tibetans
have found a new home here. This is the story of how Sonam Palkyi, as
one of the next generation, found a home in Switzerland. Both her
parents have a fascinating life story.
Sonam's father
In 1968 Sonam Palkyi's father had come to Switzerland with his family
and some other Tibetans, in the country that was to become their new
home. Her father and his family had to escape from Tibet due to the
Chinese occupation. Sonam Palkyi's father, Urgyen Chomphel was born in
Kham-Riwoche in Eastern Tibet. He is the younger son of the late Dakpa
Thinley, a well-known practitioner of dharma during his time in Tibet.
He was famous for his power to heal sickness that is beyond the realm of
conventional medicine. People came to see him when they were ill and had
particular sickness, so he blessed them. Nowadays we could describe him
as a kind of a magician. Urgyen's mother, Ama Rinchen Palmo was the only
person from her grandparents' side, whom Sonam met in person and lived
with. Her grandmother lived in Switzerland for a long time and passed
away few years back. Sonam went through a difficult time but she knew
that her grandmother was a warm and kind-hearted person and up to the
end was a strong and spiritual woman, and she would pass to the Nirvana
without any doubt. Later in 1976 Urgyen Chomphel married Sonam's
mother.
Sonam's mother
Sonam Palkyi's mother, Semo Sonam Dekyi, known as "Ashey", grew
up as the youngest of six children in Tsa-Pashok, the east part of Tibet.
She's the daughter of a highly respected family of Tibetan nobility.
Her father is the late Ripa Jigme Tsewang Chokdrup Dulay Namgyal
Palzangpo, an emanation of Guru Dorje Drolo and the third generation in
the line of the gurus of Ripa, as spiritual and family heir to the Ripa
Lineage.
Her mother was Mayum Palden Tsomo, a highly accomplished yogin and the
granddaughter of Tibet's celebrated Yogi Saint, the powerful and
accomplished master Drubwang Shakya Shri. Semo Sonam Dekyi is the sister
of the late Drubwang Anzin Rinpoche, His Eminence Namkha Trimed Rabjam
Rinpoche, also the revealer of the complete cycle of teachings of the
life of Gesar of Ling, the enlightened warrior-king of Tibet, Tulku
Samten and Tulku Karma Shedrup. Together with her elder sister Semo
Tsering Paldon and her brothers, they spent many years in Orissa (India)
after they left Tibet in 1959, where they settled and the brothers have
established their community and built a monastery and retreat centre.
Her two brothers
Sonam Palkyi has two elder brothers, Tsering Wangdue and Venerable Ringo
Chokgyur Dorjee Rinpoche, who was recognised by His Holiness Drikung
Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche as an incarnation of a Lama from Gawa, a place
in East Tibet. When Sonam's mother had her second child she deeply wished
to have a girl. Her uncle who was the late Kyabje Thuksey Rinpoche had
foretold both of Sonam's parents that they would have another two children
after the eldest son Tsering Wangdue was born: a special little boy,
different from other children, who should be raised in a pure manner; and
a third child, a girl she will give birth to in future, and even gave the
names for the two children before he died many years ago. All this seemed
very strange to the parents at this time as they didn't really understand
what he meant in his statement. Later on Sonam's mother went on a trip to
Nepal and visited the "Tamo Lüdshen" - it's said that
whatever you wish for there from the bottom of your heart, it will be
fulfilled. There she wished deeply to have a girl. Months later she was
pregnant and gave birth to her daughter and the baby received the name
that was already predicted by her uncle the late Kyabje Thuksay Rinpoche,
Sonam Palgye, "Sonam" means luck and "Palgye" has
spiritual and religious meaning.
Her spiritual and cultural heritage
From a tender age, she was very interested in Tibetan culture, tradition
and religion. Sonam Palkyi's mother was influenced by her family, who
were spiritually involved in the living tradition of the Ripa Ladrang
family with its roles and responsibilities in the spiritual and temporal
fields. So Sonam Palkyi learned from her mother about spirituality from
being born in a religious family, as well as the Tibetan tradition and
culture from her father. Sonam's parents never wanted the children to
forget their own roots, as this was very important to them, even though
their children were born and were to grow up in a Western country. |
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Acknowledgements
I would like to thank . . .
God
for the belief I have and having a beautiful life as well as
wonderful people around me.
The most important people in my life, my parents
I am grateful to them for everything in my life. There are no words
with which I could ever describe my love for them, or ever repay
what they have given me. They're my inspiration, my strength and my
role model and I wish that others should have the fortune and
opportunity to have parents like them. Love you always!
My uncle H.E. Namkha Trimed Rinpoche
for all his blessings that have always helped me to succeed in every
way. The person with such a kind, warm and big heart, the one whom I
always have adored and was inspired by. The belief and trust I place
in him makes my life an even more beautiful one.
My two brothers
who have faith in me and are always there when I need them. For
loving and supporting me.
My aunt Semo Tsering Paldon for all her prayers and
support which always helped me in every field of my life, and my
uncle's wife,
Sangyum Chime Dolkar
who was always like a mother to me.
My friend Georg Streit
for his help and effort to create my first wonderful website for me.
For all your kind-hearted support, useful advice and the time you
spent for me . . . you have proved a true friend!
My friend Amano Mark
for making all these beautiful pictures of mine . . . you’re the
best photographer!
My friend Khenpo Tsultrim Zangpo
who passed away, for all your wonderful lyrics and warm support
which I will never forget. You’ll be always in my heart . . .
All my other uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.
Last but not least, I wish to thank everyone who has supported me in
any kind of way and those who enjoy listening to my songs. |
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Thugje-Che - thank you in Tibetan
God bless you
Yours
Sonam Palkyi |
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