Dharamshala: In early May this year, Tibet Post international (TPI) carried an article about a famous singer of Tibet, Phulchung, who was on the run from the police. He fled his home and went into hiding following reports that the armed Chinese authorities were after him for allegedly breaking national unity through his music.
However, a monk from the Tibetan singer’s village (who currently resides in Gedun monastery in South India) told TPI that, on August 3, Phul Chong was arrested in Barkham County, center of Ngba province, Amdo region.
However, the source said that further where-abouts and the heath condition of the singer remains unclear.
Prior to his arrest, Phulchung released five albums. They all talked about the Tibet issue, life in Tibet and Tibetan national pride. He was thus always taken in for questioning by police and was warned to stop creating such literature.
This year he released his latest album, “Khurge Nonpai Ngatso” which loosely translates to “We Are Pressed Down”. In the album he praised His Holiness and Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay. This was the last straw for the Chinese police, who soon after issued a warrant for his arrest.
Phul Chong was born in Amchok Village, Marthang County, Amdo region. He comes from a nomadic family and is educated up to middle school. He is said to have trained himself while grazing yaks and his music is popular amongst the nomads as he expresses their sentiments. Many Tibetans refer to him as "Pride Singer".
The source also added that Phulchung has six other siblings, two sisters and four brothers. His father’s name is Dolma Kyab and mother’s name is Dolma.
This is one more instance that reaffirms China’s policy of detaining prominent artists that assert Tibetan national identity and civil rights.
In defiance of the authoritarian regime and its repressive politices in Tibet, Tibetan artists, writers, poets, spiritual leaders and intellectuals in Tibet and in exile are engaged in a Tibetan cultural renaissance, using new technology and mediums to create and share their work.
In response, the the Hu Jintao regime has escalated the crackdown on spiritual leaders, writers, artists, poets and intellectuals. Hundreds of Tibetan dissidents including intellectuals, spiritual leaders, artists and writers have been arrested, tortured and imprisoned since Tibet occupation.
