Elicitation on verb stem alternation. Recorded in Old Bagbahar.

This is a discussion with Tshering Tashi, a Lama (monk) at the Bardan Monastery, who hails from the Sani village. Lama Tashi delves into the shifts that have taken place in Zangskar in terms of language, culture, lifestyle, and the environment over recent years. He explains how these alterations have affected the local Zangskari populace. In addition, Lama Tashi addresses questions from the students of GMDC, Zangskar, about the observed transformations within Zangskar's monasteries. Recorded in Sani village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.

This is a discussion with Norbu Tashi, an elder from the Sani village, about the shifts in language, culture, and lifestyle that Zangskar has witnessed over the recent years. Recorded in Sani village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.

In this recording, Kunzang Chhuskit, an elder from Sani village, discusses the changes in Zangskar's agricultural practices. Prompted by questions from Dr. Jamphel Sheyan and students of GMDC, Zangskar, Chhuskit contrasts the recent adoption of machine harvesting and flour grinding with the traditional practices of hand-harvesting and water-mill grinding. Additionally, she recounts a tale about a prince named Kargyen Chocho. Concluding her discourse, she touches upon transformations in the dowry system and the broader changes Zangskar has undergone in its journey towards development. Recorded in Sani village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.

Stanzin Choszin and her parents discuss the transformation Zangskar has witnessed in recent decades with Tshering Namgyal. Stanzin Choszin is a student at the Government Model Degree College (GMDC), Zangskar. Tshering Namgyal is a GMDC BA student. They discuss shifts in language, changing tastes in food and liquor, evolving work cultures, and matrimonial traditions. this discussion captures the essence of a rapidly transforming Zangskari society. Recorded at Choszin's residence in Sani village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.

In this enlightening discussion, Prof. Tadeusz Slupski of Poland, a visitor to Zangskar since November 1977, discusses the cultural shifts over the decades with a couple from Sani village. Slupski narrates the socio-cultural transformations he witnessed since his initial visit and invites the couple to expand on these changes from their firsthand experiences. They discuss the nuances of the architectural evolution of Zangskari houses, delving into traditional heating and lighting methods, recalling cherished olden poems, songs, and dances—emphasizing the "chham" (Chham) dance and costumes, and reminisce about traditional weddings marked by horseback marriage processions. Dr. Jamphel Sheyan, Assistant Professor of English at GMDC, skillfully interprets the conversation, bridging Zangskari and English. Recorded in Sani village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.

The Epic of Gesar (also spelled Kesar) is one of the world's longest epics and is widely sung and narrated across the Tibetan Plateau and in parts of Central Asia. This grand narrative chronicles the life and adventures of the heroic figure, Gesar of Ling. The saga unfolds through numerous episodes, with one of its earliest segments detailing the miraculous birth of Gesar. Before this event, the kingdom of Ling found itself in dire need of a leader. In the inaugural episode, Tashi Zangmo from Sani village—one of the last remaining bards in Zangskar—narrates how Agu Gani, Gesar’s uncle and an elder in the kingdom, persuades the warrior God, Tshangspa Karpo, to bestow the kingdom of Ling with a king. This divine intervention culminates in the miraculous birth of Gesar. Recorded in Sani village, Ladakh Union Territory, India.

Recording of an elicitation of sentences demonstrating the use of conjunction and coordination in Mankiyali. English and Urdu sentences were used as prompts. Throughout the elicitation, discussion of the data takes place between the speakers and the researcher. The speakers also recall several other stories/events in this session. The contributors are Aurangzeb (a 34-year old male teacher) and Gohar-Ur Rehman (a 38-year old male shop owner).

This song laments that things have changed in the village after the singer's beloved (Mungimai) is married off to a foreign man. He sings, 'The sun ray has changed in my village. My land is no longer like the old days. The sound of pigeon has changed. My heartfelt regret is that I could not protect Mungimai.'

This is a song of Guithuanang of Tharon village. This song was composed as a conversation between two lovers expressing beauty, desire, and love for each other.

This song is about the beauty of the village. It says that the village is better than any foreign land. The singer appeals to the villagers who have gone out of the village to return to the village.

This is a song of expressing love between a man and woman. The man says, 'For the one I love I could bring the biggest bull. I can work the whole mountain. What do you say? My fair lady'. The woman responds, 'Oh bachelor! Stop teasing. Do not do as you wish. Do not mention about a bull You don’t have to pay anything. I will come for free'.

This is a song of Khamping, a legendary composer. This song talks about his failed relationship with a village damsel. His lover was given in marriage to a rich man of neighboring village by her parents.

This song talks about the beauty of a woman as she matures. It says, everything looks better when a girl becomes a woman.

The singer asks the people who made the road, "have you seen my love come home yet? If you see her tell her to mark the way. Tell her to show me the way. I will come like a cattle that cannot be pulled."

The song describes the beauty of Thaluan village. It says outsiders throng in the village when autumn arrives. The village is a land of abundance.

This song talks about a mother who loved her daughter very much. The mother provided everything for her daughter, but the daughter was married off a man not of her choice. Unfortunately, the daughter died young and the mother mourned for her.

This is a song of advice to village damsel not to marry outside the village. The young woman was reminded that her village is better than other villages and she should marry someone from the village.

This is a song of lamentation after the village was raided by people from the plains. The singer was outraged, but again he wondered if he goes away to take revenge, his beloved might change her mind. So he gave up the thought of revenge and call on his beloved to leave the village and go to a land where one doesn't have to labor to eat.

Men would guard the village in bygone days. While doing their duty, they sing songs of various themes. In this song, two men who are guarding the village sang to each other expressing what they want to become in life.

Bhupender describes each picture of the Jackal and the Crow, a picture-based stimulus task. He tells the whole story, and then tells the story from the crow’s perspective. The recording was made at his home in Rakchham village.

Bhajan Dass asks Bimla about her daily activities during the four seasons. The interview-like quality of this recording provides useful examples of interrogatives. The recording was made at their home in Rakchham village, right after a period of heavy snowfall.

Bhupender and Ayala discuss how they have experienced climate change over the past few years in Rakchham village. The recording was made at their home in Rakchham village, following a period of heavy snowfall.

Bupinder and Ayala describe how to make traditional carpets 'khyara' and related local items. They continue to have a natural conversation that goes beyond this subject. The recording was made at their home in Rakchham village after heavy snowfall. Water was dripping in the background.