Songs of the Sixth Dalai Lama

The Sixth Dalai Lama Losang Rigzi Tsangyang Gyatsho (1683-1706), whose name means “The Ocean of Melodious Songs” was a special Dalai Lama. Born in a renowned Nyingma family and brought up at a late age in the Gelugpa tradition, Tsangyang Gyatsho proved to be an uncomfortable blend of the two traditions. But leaving aside the unfortunate politics that surrounded his desolate life, Tsangyang Gyatsho brought to holy Lhasa and Shol taverns some of the purest and most beautiful lyrics of all times. Extraordinary as a lover of wine and women, melodious as a singer of love songs and above all, tragic as a national hero of the status of a Dalai Lama, reduced to become a heroic pawn at the hands of the Qusot Lhazang Khan, Tsangyang Gyatso became a legend within his short lifetime. Worshipped and loved by the Tibetan people with stainless faith, Tsangyang Gyatsho’s songs became famous in every comer of Tibet reviving once again the facination of simple folk poetry.