The Film

Dances To Vanquish Demons 

These monks practice a form of Buddhism blended with Indian Tantric Mysticism and ancient Tibetan Animism, called Vajrayana. Their magical ritual dance is called Cham. In ancient temples high in the mountains, deep in meditation, these monks perform sacred rites,  then don masks and costumes imbued with mystical powers, and, visualizing themselves as protector deities, they perform intricate, spinning dances to draw in demons and nuetralize their evil.

Cham has been performed for 1,300 years  to transform evil and protect the earth. There is a battle now for cham itself. Decimated by the Chinese invasion and occupation  of Tibet, cham survived in remote parts  of India, Mongolia, and Bhutan. Now, as these traditional societies meet the  modern world, Cham struggles to survive. Hundreds of forms have already vanished Many dance masters and monastery leaders Estimate that within 100 years, Cham will completely disappear.

In northern India, in the kingdom of Ladakh, there are fewer new monks every year. Dances traditionally calling for 50 dancers Are now performed by a fraction of that number. In the winter, many monasteries are virtually empty. Though some of the dances are written, many parts, the most important parts, can only be taught in person. The world heritage convention states that  The disappearance of cultural heritage  impoverishes all nations of the world. If not passed on, or documented,  this profound spiritual art will be lost forever.