
It's been 20 years since Mongolia declared independence and broke its bonds with Moscow. Since then, the Asian nation has taken steps to reclaim parts of its unique heritage that were suppressed, often violently, under the communist regime. Buddhism is once again thriving, and theaters offer a wealth of native music and singing. First and foremost, this has meant the resurrection, in ways both noble and pedestrian, of the world's most famous Mongolian -- Chinggis (Genghis) Khan.