I drew this tree at Bharat Bhavan Art Complex graphic studio, one day before hearing the sad news of Shichung's self-immolation in Ngaba, Amdo Tibet on Sep. 28th.
BBC at the hotel TV had reported another earthquake, another terrorist attack, succession of 'another' at the previous night. I had gone to sleep feeling sad and helpless.
When I arrived at the studio at Bharat Bhavan Arts Complex in the following morning, green trees at the complex looked so fresh and alive and the vast surface of the lake below was shining quietly.
Such a contrast of light and darkness of this world.
So I started drawing trees, one big and one small. while drawing, the face, the calm profile of Karma Nyedhon Gyatso, came up in my mind. As I had seen photos of him sitting quietly at the main temple in Dharamsala last November, he cross-legged quietly and set himself in flame in Kathumandu on August 6th this year.
This tree is dedicated to him, the one who had walked through Tibet and to India with his hands. And left this life with a determination.
