‘I Will Carry the Sky’
Review of book A Home in Tibet by Tsering Wangmo Dhompa
Interpretations of our reality by outsiders telling fantastic tales have turned us into a mono-coloured one-size-fits-all single commodity.
Two new films: Old Dog and The Sun-Beaten Path
Review of film Old Dog, The Sun-Beaten Path by Pema Tseden , Sonthar Gyal
The two films tell stories of everyday existence which are distinctively Tibetan stories, but which at the same time address universal themes of struggle and redemption without sentimentality or romanticization.
The Grasslands – a film by Pema Tseden
Review of film The Grasslands by Pema Tseden
After I watched the film, I felt that the film was not about Aku Tsendruk and Ama Tsomo, nor about the other people in the film, so much as it is about a way of life
A Diamond in the Dust
Review of film Acho Namgyal: Shey Kyi Jinpa by Sonam Tashi and Eric Henningsen
Shey Kyi Jinpa constitutes both a timely and, hopefully, restorative vehicle – offering the possibility of a renaissance of interest in Nangma, and the birth of a new generation of Tibetan musicians.
A Pale View of the Himalayas
Review of book Songs from a Distance by Bhuchung Sonam
This is perhaps what pushes writers like Sonam and Tsundue to their desks every morning to sing the songs of freedom on behalf of their silenced brethren behind the pale hills of the Himalayas. Their songs are sad and touching of course, but they are never depressing.
Struggle, Struggle
Review of book Free Tibet by Pramod Wadnerkar
Wadnerkar should be given a round of applause for his keen observations and grasp of not only of the knotty Tibetan political issue involving various players, but also of the intricate methods that Beijing practices to banish Tibet and Tibetans into forgotten memories.
Yak Horns and Yellow Stars
Review of book Like Gold that Fears No Fire: New Writing From Tibet by International Campaign for Tibet
A thoroughly inspiring compilation of current writing by Tibetans. It comes at the right time with the right message.
Dreams of the educated-dispossessed
Review of book Falling through the Roof by Thubten Samphel
Review by Tsering Namgyal Khortsa of Thubten Samphel’s novel Falling through the Roof: This magnificent novel from India — at once elegiac and exuberant — is in itself proof of the Tibetan resilience.
Acme of Obscenity
Review of book The Making of Modern Tibet by Tom Grunfeld.
If the printed word could physically emit a stink, then this book would reek not only of dung and putrefaction but the charnel house as well. All the usual words of condemnation: scurrilous, disgusting, abominable, are inadequate to censure the man and his work.
Discussing Tibet, Without BS
Review of book China’s Tibet? Autonomy or Assimilation by Warren W. Smith Jr.
Smith is clearly aware of the numerous mistakes and even cupidity of the Tibetans in their dealings with China, but correctly sees these as secondary, sometimes even irrelevant to the overpowering reality of China’s brutal occupation and relentless assimilation of Tibet.
The Prisoner
Review of book A Tibetan Revolutionary by Melvyn Goldstein
What is clear is that Phunwang was the victim of a revolution betrayed. This excellent, detailed account of his life will help future generations to decide for themselves whether he was indeed a good guy or not.
Language, Literature and Representation in Tibet
Review of article “Language, Literature and Representation in Tibet” by Tsering Shakya
There are two very important features to this collection of stories, which both has literary interest and signifies the shifting terrain of Chinese rule in Tibet.
A step in the “Write” direction!
Review of book Anything for Tibet, My Beloved Country by Thupten N Chakrishar
A first fictional novel in English by a Tibetan in exile; a first literary output of its nature by a Tibetan student in exile.
The Incredible Weariness of Hope
Review of book Tibet, Tibet: A Personal History of a Lost Land. by Patrick French
Tibet, Tibet. The title of Patrick French’s latest book intrigued me. Vaguely suggestive of a biblical lament, it also hinted at a kind of patient reproach, of the sort that Sir Isaac Newton is said to have dished out to his pet dog after it knocked over a candle and set fire to his research papers.
Yak Ride to Bike Ride
Review of film Tsampa to Pizza by Sonam Tsetan
Tsampa to Pizza is a Tibetan-oriented film and needs to be watched by all of our people, especially the old and doubtful ones.
Bread and Freedom
Review of book KORA by Tenzin Tsundue
Our final kora will be complete when we return to a ’free’ homeland after years of roaming in foreign jungles. But to fulfil this ultimate journey, we need writers, activists, statesmen, thinkers and most of all bread-and-freedom poets to paint our reality as it is — so that when the kora is complete we can plan our future ’in our own words, in our own silence, and in our own wisdom.’
Conflicts of Duality: Call of an Exile Poet
Review of book Conflicts of Duality by Bhuchung Sonam
Tempting as it is to quote and discuss more lines from this book, I would prefer the readers make their own judgement. But the temptation itself speaks to how profound an experience the read would be. For Tibetan readers, it will be like venturing into the familiar terrain as one after another recognisable characters/images pop up every now and then.
Richard Gere is My Hero
Review of film Richard Gere is my Hero by Tashi Wangchuk
Review by Tashi Tenzin of the film Richard Gere is my Hero: The film’s richness in characterisation — some of the funniest characters like Love Guru, Acha BBC, Phuntsok Drunkard, and Cho Dargay can be compared to those of the best novels.
Green is In… Red is Out
Review of book Tibetan Medical Dietary Book (Vol. 1) by Dr. Yangbum Gyal
The essence of this book lies in its relevance in everyday life — making the ancient wisdom available to the modern world. Every housewife and househusband should have this book on their kitchen shelf so that they know exactly what balanced vegetable dishes to prepare for their loved ones.
Mountain Patrol: Kekexili
Review of film Kekexili by Chuan Lu
While Kekexli: Mountain Patrol focuses on the attempts of a group of Tibetans to save the chiru — a quintessentially Tibetan animal — from being wiped out by indiscriminate hunting, the creature itself has been adopted by China as one of its mascots for the Beijing Olympics.