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Towards the last two months of my last visit to India in the spring of 2012, I encountered the Tibetan community in exile in India experiencing painful news of their people self-immolating in fire one after another in China-occupied Tibet. My experiences in the past visits in India (drawing a cremation site in Varanasi, documenting fire pits, cremation alters, and contemplating on life and death around fire) synchronized with this particular movement, an extreme way of ‘offering’ their bodies to ‘fire’ for asking freedom and peace.I could not help drawing large and small drawings as emotional response and with a sense of mourning.

After coming back to Vancouver, the self-immolation kept happening and I felt that my personal and professional task is not finished.

I have come back to India to continue to document and draw under the same theme. tomoyoihaya@hotmail.com

13 December 2012

Miraculous Blue flower bloomed in Jakhundo


A little blue flower bloomed on the field of Jekhund
As if a miracle would happen

we wanted to appreciate that little beautiful flower
and remember our beloved and honoured one

You have taken away many lives, our land and our freedom to speak and believe in our belief for so many years.

you even do not give us freedom to appreciate the beauty of this little thing, a noble blue soul that came out to this land of suffering?
And freedom to pray for the ones who sacrificed their lives for us?

Little blue flowers and white scarves(Kathak in Tibetan, used for offering or blessing) are for peace, not like your guns