Dechen Shak-Dagsay
Encyclopedia
Dechen Shak-Dagsay is a contemporary singer of traditional Tibetan Buddhist
mantra
s. She is the daughter of the Dagsay Tulku
. Born in Kathmandu, Nepal
in 1959, Dechen and her family moved to Switzerland
in 1963, where she has resided ever since.
Strongly committed to "preserving Tibetan culture in the West," Dechen studied and performed traditional Tibetan music
and dance throughout her childhood and adolescence. However, she considers herself to be truly a product of Eastern and Western culture. As an adult, she pursued a successful career as a marketing executive in Zurich.
In 2001, Dechen recorded and released Dewa Che: The Universal Healing Power of Tibetan Mantras. Although the album was intended as singular creative side-project, its success far surpassed the artist's expectations. In 2002, Dechen was signed to PolyglobeMusic Austria and signed an additional contract with the US-based label New Earth Records
in 2004, thus affording her music access to North American markets.
In 2005, Dechen left her job to pursue her career in music full-time. 2006 saw the release of Shi De: A Call For World Peace. The artist describes the album as "A collection of powerful Tibetan peace songs that calls on all people to participate in the healing of the world."
In May, 2006, Dechen was accompanied by Swiss National Television on a trip to Tibet to follow-up her social projects including a central clinic and orphanage schools.In year 2010 she visited Tibet to launch a new tailoring school where many young poor uneducated people can learn the tailoring skill to earn their living in their villages. They are sewing local traditional cloths for grown ups and children,school uniforms,monastery decoration pieces and local summer tents.Besides the existing central clinic has a new room for midwifery. In the year 2012, she wishes to introduce in the clinic a new important section for child nutrition care. This introduction of child nutrition care is very important for healthy development of children under 15 years.
In June 2009 she has released an Album with American singer Tina Turner
and Regula Curti, called Beyond. In the year 2010, her new CD Jewel is released under the label Universal Music.
Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and India . It is the state religion of Bhutan...
mantra
Mantra
A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of "creating transformation"...
s. She is the daughter of the Dagsay Tulku
Tulku
In Tibetan Buddhism, a tulku is a particular high-ranking lama, of whom the Dalai Lama is one, who can choose the manner of his rebirth. Normally the lama would be reincarnated as a human, and of the same sex as his predecessor. In contrast to a tulku, all other sentient beings including other...
. Born in Kathmandu, Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
in 1959, Dechen and her family moved to Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
in 1963, where she has resided ever since.
Strongly committed to "preserving Tibetan culture in the West," Dechen studied and performed traditional Tibetan music
Music of Tibet
The music of Tibet reflects the cultural heritage of the trans-Himalayan region, centered in Tibet but also known wherever ethnic Tibetan groups are found in India, Bhutan, Nepal and further abroad...
and dance throughout her childhood and adolescence. However, she considers herself to be truly a product of Eastern and Western culture. As an adult, she pursued a successful career as a marketing executive in Zurich.
In 2001, Dechen recorded and released Dewa Che: The Universal Healing Power of Tibetan Mantras. Although the album was intended as singular creative side-project, its success far surpassed the artist's expectations. In 2002, Dechen was signed to PolyglobeMusic Austria and signed an additional contract with the US-based label New Earth Records
New Earth Records
New Earth Records is an independent record label focusing primarily on New Age Music and World Music. It was founded in 1990 in Munich, Germany, by European entrepreneurs Bhikkhu Schober and Waduda Paradiso under the auspices of the spiritual teacher known as Osho...
in 2004, thus affording her music access to North American markets.
In 2005, Dechen left her job to pursue her career in music full-time. 2006 saw the release of Shi De: A Call For World Peace. The artist describes the album as "A collection of powerful Tibetan peace songs that calls on all people to participate in the healing of the world."
- “I hope I can reach out as far as possible with these songs of peace—they are a strong statement about community-in-action and about working together toward a common goal. Together, we can make a difference. Together we can make our world a better place.”
In May, 2006, Dechen was accompanied by Swiss National Television on a trip to Tibet to follow-up her social projects including a central clinic and orphanage schools.In year 2010 she visited Tibet to launch a new tailoring school where many young poor uneducated people can learn the tailoring skill to earn their living in their villages. They are sewing local traditional cloths for grown ups and children,school uniforms,monastery decoration pieces and local summer tents.Besides the existing central clinic has a new room for midwifery. In the year 2012, she wishes to introduce in the clinic a new important section for child nutrition care. This introduction of child nutrition care is very important for healthy development of children under 15 years.
In June 2009 she has released an Album with American singer Tina Turner
Tina Turner
Tina Turner is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned more than 50 years. She has won numerous awards and her achievements in the rock music genre have led many to call her the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll".Turner started out her music career with husband Ike Turner as a member of the...
and Regula Curti, called Beyond. In the year 2010, her new CD Jewel is released under the label Universal Music.