Sonam Wangyal has worked as an electrician for the Shol Folk Opera Troupe for more than 30 years.

He said he has no talent for opera but working in the troupe brings him great happiness.

Founded by Taktse Lama Ngagwang Lobsang Tubthan in 1956 and revived after the "cultural revolution" (1966-76) by Drukchung and Mayi Ngagwang Lodre in 1979, the Tibetan opera troupe is one of the most popular in the Tibet autonomous region.

"It is a professional opera troupe," said Penpa Silnon, 44, head of the troupe. "Many times this troupe has confronted the risk of collapse in the past few decades, yet it has survived and grown stronger.

"The key reason is that the performers love what they are doing."

Penpa Silnon said the performers have a deep passion for opera, and sing while walking in the streets or riding buses, and even when dining at restaurants.

In 2001, with support from Ouyang Xue, the president of the Tibet Tourism Company in Lhasa, the Tibet Sholpa Lhamo company was funded, and since then the troupe has been hired by the company to perform opera for tourists.

"Ouyang Xue loves Tibetan culture and is a kind-hearted man, and he has been paying salaries to our performers for the past 14 years," said Penpa Silnon.

"Led by Ouyang Xue, our troupe began to perform for tourists, and this was a great opportunity that infused new life to our penniless troupe."

Before being hired by the company, the troupe performed for locals wherever they could, whether on the streets or on the grasslands, but never before on a well-designed stage in a hotel.

"We are pleased that now tourism can be a supporter to spread Tibetan culture," said Penpa Tsering, 37, the deputy head of the troupe.

"Performers can make a living this way, and it helps us to keep passing on this ancient tradition."

Nyima, one of the performers, said before they were hired by the tourism company, he did not have a stable income, and the troupe had to try to solve its own financial issues.

He and his colleagues now receive monthly salaries of 1,200 yuan ($195), and Nyima said his average yearly income generated by opera is now around 20,000 yuan.

"We don't earn much, but Tibetan people have a strong interest in watching opera, and if I can make others feel happy, I am satisfied," the 46-year-old said.

The troupe gives an average of 440 to 450 shows each year for tourists, and also continue to perform for local farmers and herdsmen.

"We perform 40 to 50 days around the Vonkhor and Shoton Festivals during summertime, and each performer only collects 100 yuan or less from the farmers, while the price for tourists is around 300 yuan," said Penpa Tsering.

The troupe is also always invited to perform at weddings in the villages and city.

"We collect performance fees according to the family situation, and we sometimes provide free shows for impoverished families," Nyima said.

There are now 52 performers in the troupe, up from 22 in 1979, including 12 who are older than 60. The oldest performer, Tsewang, is 76 years old.