When Gerong Dunzhu—the successor to the national intangible cultural heritage “King Gesar”—and his student Cili Yongzong put on costumes and chanted “King Gesar,” the audience listened quietly. Although not all of them understand exactly what was happening.

Gerong Dunzhu is 74 years old and comes from Tacheng Town, Weixi County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan. At the age of 11, Gerong Dunzhu became a monk at a temple and began to learn to chant “King Gesar” from his teachers, two living Buddhas named Tongdun and Gerunong. “I could not read Tibetan script, so they taught me the arias as a story, which I memorized,” Gerong Dunzhu said. Gradually, he not only mastered all of the songs and lyrics for “King Gesar” but also basically united the traditional form of chanting.

“When I was young, I often listened to him chanting,” said Cili Yongzong. As Gerong Dunzhu became well-known locally, Cili Yongzong and others began to learn for him. Now all of his eight students are from Weixi. They are all in their late fifties or early sixties.

“I liked singing when I was still a little girl, and King Gesar is a Tibetan hero, so I particularly hoped to master the chants concerning him,” said Cili Yongzong.

Over the years, Gerong Dunzhu has been committed to passing on the “King Gesar” tradition. In addition to teaching his students, he has also taught the song to his daughter and son-in-law. Even his eight year-old grandson can chant a little. “I will teach them everything I remember. We must not lose this ancient art,” said Gerong Dunzhu.

The good news is that beginning in 2012 the local government introduced a series of measures to better protect “King Gesar”. The government not only provides training and learning spaces but organizes Gerong Dunzhu and his students to participate in cultural performances as well. “It is our precious cultural heritage,” said Cili Yongzong. Like their teacher, Cili Yongzong and other students always wish to pass on their Tibetan culture to younger generations. They hope that the government will provide more opportunities for communication in the future so that more people will understand and recognise this art.