By Tenzin Monlam
NEW DELHI, December 14: The Indian Tibetan Filmmaker couple Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam has started their first solo art show with self immolation as a theme on Dec. 10, coinciding with the World Human Rights Day at KHOJ International Artists’ Association studio in the Indian Capital. The show which will be open for visitors till Dec. 31 is titled ‘Burning against the Dying of the Light’.
The exhibition is the first time ever that a range of the duo’s video installations and films have been presented in one venue under a broad thematic rubric. The couple’s show features a newly produced, pivotal work within this exhibition, the multi-media installation which examines and contextualizes the politics of protest in Tibet, especially in their latest primary manifestation, self-immolations.
A recurring subject in their work has been the issue of Tibet with which they have intimately involved in a number of different ways, personally, politically and artistically. Through their films, they have attempted to document, question and reflect on the question of exile, identity, culture and nationalism that confront the Tibetan people. The exhibition comprises a selection of works that investigates both Tibet’s ongoing political struggle and the transformation that they see taking place in the Himalayan region.
A panel discussion on self-immolations titled, ‘Tibet Burning: Self-immolations, a Buddhist Weapon of Protest?’ was held on Saturday, which was participated by Matthew Akester, Researcher and Specialist in modern Tibetan history, Ven Kabir Saxena, teacher of basic Buddhist theory and practice at Tushita Delhi, and Tenzing Sonam.
Tenzing Sonam stressed on the importance of keeping the issue of Tibet alive and present the real truth to a larger audience. “For us, it was important to keep the issue alive since so many have sacrificed their lives for a cause and we owe it to them,” Tenzing told Phayul.
Tenzing read some of the self immolators’ last messages, which according to him, proves that their actions were not a self destructive acts but rather out of desperation with the strong message to fellow Tibetans to ‘never lose hope’, ‘be united’ and ‘better days will come’.
149 Tibetans have resorted to self-immolation as a form of protest so far but it has been one of the most underreported stories over the years in the international media. Tenzing feels that it is, to an extent, a shortcoming of the exile Tibetans including CTA and other NGOs to amplify the voices of the self-immolators. “Whatever the reasons maybe, I blame it on ourselves (exile Tibetans) and we need to do more,” said Tenzing.
Tenzing believes that such art show allows them to tackle the subject and the issue in a creative way and reach out to an audience that normally won’t have any access. “Since it is an art form, it appeals to a different type of audience and that in turns creates awareness,” said Tenzing.
Matthew Akester, said, “Self immolation, for me, was not a surprise. They are the result of the constant blockade, reeducation policy, heavy demands such as pledging their loyalty towards the state and denouncing the Dalai Lama and zero tolerance towards ‘separatists’.”
Ven Kabir Saxena brought a religious angle to the discussion saying that a human life is considered ‘precious’ in Tibetan Buddhism since it is the best vehicle to achieve Buddhahood. However, he pointed out that it is critical that the self-immolators have a clear state of mind when dying. “If they are having the state of mind as stated in their last messages then it will be good for their intellectual development in their next life. It will also help them grow more and more wisdom of compassion.” He, however, questioned if it was the optimum way to unite people.
Matthew said, “Tibetans inside Tibet, who have lived most of their life under the system knows how it works, and find the idea of Middle Way incomprehensible. They can’t imagine any political circumstances under which such a thing could happen. The idea of Middle Way or the possibility of negotiation in dealing the Tibet issue is completely alien to them.”
Tenzing and Ritu are currently working on their upcoming film, ‘The Sweet Requiem’, which is set in Delhi around a time when self-immolations were taking place in Tibet.
