By Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Oct. 14: An exhibition titled ‘SHADOW CIRCUS’ showcasing the story of the Tibetan resistance movement during the pivotal years between 1957 and 1974 by the Dharamshala-based filmmaker duo, Tenzing Sonam and Ritu Sarin was unveiled at the Tibet Museum in Dharamshala on Friday. The duo has curated a unique project that intertwines personal narratives, historical events, and an archive of valuable materials to illuminate the little-known story of Tibetans and CIA operatives involved in a decade-long guerrilla war operation codenamed ST CIRCUS.
At the core of this exhibition lies a captivating collection of personal items belonging to Tenzing Sonam’s late father, Lhamo Tsering, a key leader and liaison between the Tibetans and the CIA during the resistance. The collection featured an array of documents, some inscribed with pencil drawings and written instructions in Tibetan. These documents encompass a wide range of topics, from the mechanics of parachute jumps to the intricacies of explosive device construction bringing a tangible connection to the lives and challenges faced by the Tibetan resistance fighters.
The exhibition also showcased photographs of courageous Tibetans who took part in the decade-long guerrilla war operation. These images offer an intimate glimpse into the faces and stories of those who participated in this historic resistance movement. The multi-dimensional narrative, ‘SHADOW CIRCUS’ also ingeniously integrated footage from Tenzing Sonam and Ritu Sarin’s 1998 documentary on the same subject.
The exhibition, initially showcased in Berlin, Germany in February 2019, has since travelled to various locations in India, including Kerala, Mumbai, and Delhi. Speaking to Phayul on the response and feedback from the non-Tibetan community, as well as historians and researchers, Tenzing Sonam said, “The first show of Shadow Circus in Berlin garnered an overwhelmingly positive response. It ran for an extended period of one and a half months, attracting visitors who spent hours immersing themselves in the interviews and historical accounts. Many attendees expressed astonishment at learning about this lesser-known chapter in Tibetan history of the resistance and the fight against Chinese rule.”
“But very interestingly, we had this show at the Kochi-Biennale in Kerala. It ran for a remarkable three months and drew the attention of Indian visitors. The response from the Indian audience was equally positive, with attendees expressing their amazement at discovering these untold stories from Tibetan history,” he further added. Tenzing Sonam emphasised the importance of taking stories beyond the Tibetan community by reaching diverse audiences to foster a deeper understanding of Tibet’s history of resistance and resilience.
Tenzing Sonam and Ritu Sarin, the creative minds behind the project are dedicated to expanding the reach of their valuable archives. Their vision is to create a website that will host all the interviews, ensuring that this historical content is accessible to a wide audience, especially researchers and those interested in Tibetan history. “This digital platform would serve as a living archive, enabling people to easily access and engage with the rich narratives and documentation within Shadow Circus,” Tenzing Sonam noted.
