The annual Shoton Festival wrapped up in the Tibet Autonomous Region today. The week-long festivities dazzled locals and tourists alike with a series of Tibetan cultural events, including an exhibition of Thangka paintings. The centuries-old art form is seeing signs of revival through efforts of local artists. CGTN's Yang Jinghao met one of them, who dedicates his time to training more young painters.

Tezin Phuntsok has spent much of his life painting Thangka, a form of Buddhist artwork that can be traced back to the 10th century.

His family was devoted to the traditional culture for generations before he was born, and his passion for painting started in childhood.

TEZIN PHUNTSOK THANGKA PAINTER "My father selected an auspicious day when I was 13 to hold a special ritual to accept me as his apprentice. That's when I started learning Thangka painting."

The young man's perception of painting was influenced by different art forms and schools during his college years. He thought that Thangka might not be his only choice.

TEZIN PHUNTSOK THANGKA PAINTER "I was so attracted to some contemporary art, which my father said was contrary to our traditional art. So we frequently argued."

He still chose to be a Thangka painter, and a college professor after graduation. Dedicating himself to the unique culture of the Tibetans became a kind of responsibility to him in 2014. That was when he took over a school his father established in the 1980s.

TEZIN PHUNTSOK THANGKA PAINTER "There were only about 20 Thangka painters in Lhasa back then. My father felt it was urgent to save the culture, and so he broke the tradition that the craftsmanship could only be passed down to male descendants and trained whoever wanted to learn it."

Decades on, the school has cultivated hundreds of painters free of charge. Today, it is still attracting admirers from across the world, mostly Tibetan herdsmen from remote areas, who need to spend at least six years acquiring the demanding skills.

DORJI TSETEN THANGKA LEARNER "After graduating from here, I want to go back home and teach Thangka to people there, as there are very few people know how to paint it."

Traditionally, Thangka paintings were mostly made for monasteries and local believers. Today, the religious artwork is becoming increasingly popular among diversified groups, such as art collectors. The 33-year-old Tezin Phuntsok says balancing market and tradition is a matter of concern.

TEZIN PHUNTSOK THANGKA PAINTER "Without the market, the cultural heritage might disappear some day, as fewer and fewer people will learn it. But over-commercialization would also deprive the students and even painters of their own ideas and reverent attitude towards the art."

With more training institutes being set up in Tibet and other areas, the precious art form is expected to thrive before long. Tezin Punthsok says, while respecting tradition, some innovative attempts are necessary to maintain its vitality. YJH, CGTN, Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region.