Atsara, celebrated as the entertainer in annual Tshechu, brings life and colours to the celebration but they can also be a source of embarrassment.
Besides unlimited humour, Atsara also represents the learned and the saintly beings. And accordingly, Atsara enjoy the liberty to taunt and joke around with the devotees gathered at the Tshechu.
Some also believe that if an individual is embarrassed by Atsara’s tease, the person will be cleansed of his sins.
On the other hand, the Atsara are also said to be a source of nuisance.
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Although there had been no written code of conducts for those performing as Atsara during Tshechu, yet they were verbally instructed not to cross the limits.
According to the officials from the Royal Academy of Performing Arts (RAPA), not all Atsara abide by the rules.
Besides extremely provocative jokes, Atsara are also refrained for asking cash offerings except on the last day of the Tshechu.
To sort out the roles of Atsara during a festival, a book named “Druk Gi Atsara” was launched in Thimphu, today.
The book, written in Dzongkha, will be distributed to all the Dzongkhag offices. The book will also be translated to English before Thimphu Tshechu.
