Bhutanese dancers perform in NY (Entertainment)

New York, September 16: Thirteen elaborately garbed and dagger-wielding monks from Bhutan subjugated demons by performing the ancient dance in front of the New York Supreme Court Monday.

The Bhutanese monks performed two victory dances against the enemies of Buddhism. In Black Hat Dance, dressed in large black hats, colorful felt boots, and long, vividly hued brocade dresses, they will swirl in circular patterns to the beat of drums, taking possession of the plaza and driving out evil spirits with their footsteps.

In Tungam, dance of the terrifying deities, clutching ritual daggers, they gyrated, whirled, leaped and swirled in large circles to the mesmeric intonation of chant and gongs.

Cham performances will be given in public sites throughout the city every day next week in celebration of the opening of The Dragon's Gift: The Sacred Arts of Bhutan on Friday, September 19, at the Rubin Museum of Art.

The exhibition has helped to document and preserve cham, an 8th-century dance form. Bhutan News Service