In this way, the 87-year-old Tibetan artist Samdrup finished narrating a tape lasting more than 2,000 hours about the Epic King Gesar, an ancient Tibetan legendary hero. The tape was produced by the Institute of Nationality Research, Tibet Academy of Social Sciences.

Started from 2000, the institute has published some 30 books on the epic and plans to bring another 15 to the public in three or five years.

With no literal record, the epic of King Gesar can be only passed down orally by Tibetan folk artists. Preservation of Epic of King Gesar was included in the Chinese folk art & culture preservation project, the largest ever in China.

Organizations responsible for saving and protecting Epic of King Gesar were set up one after another in Beijing, Lhasa and other Chinese mainland cities. Finding as well as educated artists of King Gesar is one of its responsibilities.

To date, in China there are more than 140 folk artists capable of narrating the story of King Gesar. All the artists receive well treatment from the government. Samdrup, a street beggar in old Tibet, now moves into the decent house given by the government with living subsidy and enjoys free medical treatment.

File photo shows Tubdain, a Gesar vocal folk artist, is narrating the "Epic of King Gesar".