May 28, 2012 11:18 PM
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(Updated May 28, 2012 11:37 PM)
Tibet, a place, which once existed, may be in dreams, but no more. Tibet, as was called "Roof of the World", having the biggest town of Lhasa, "The forbidden land", and which was once ruled by Dalai Lama, and where once lived free souls, those souls which only wanted to live their simple lives, and never interfered in anyone else's life, always prayed good for the whole of mankind, but what these simple souls got in return - invasion from China, plundering from the REDS, death, attacks and once a great land of Tibet having so many wonderful religious and world-heritage architectural sites were now destroyed (except Potala Palace, ex-residence of all Dalai Lamas), 98% of religious structures demolished, and these simple souls find their lives as refugees in Dharmsala in India. So, let me present you review on this non-fiction adventurous account of life of an Austrian adventurer and author Heinrich Harrer which led his life to the Forbidden land of Tibet, "Seven Years in Tibet".
About the story - Heinrich Harrer was a adventure-lover and he wanted to go on a government's team to Nanga Parbat expedition in Himalayas. He got the opportunity, but Second World War started and he founded himself in an interment camp in India, since he belongs to a country which was fighting against the Britishers. He alongwith his other friend Peter Aufschnaiter moved from one prison camp to other and tried many times to escape the same, and he was already planning to ran to Tibet, finally he got his opportunity during his stay at the Dehradun Internment camp, he escaped, crossed Indian border into Tibet, crossed difficult passes over mountains, meet the undisturbed natives, found themselves always at the receiving end since they were illegally entered, so they have to go back as per Tibetan officials, but they silently went ahead on their way with a fake pass, and atlast reach the city of their dreams - Lhasa. On the way and at Lhasa they met many great simple people, who shared their life, their food with them and made them feel like they are at home, and they came to know about one of the great culture in world - Tibetan culture. They learn Tibetan language and become one of the major people in the development of under-developed Tibet. They introduced so many new things, games, and build good places, maintained garden, and many other developmental things. In the same time Heinrich came near to the God-King of Tibet, who was the supreme authority, the Dalai Lama (14th) Tenzin Gyatso, and become his best friend. Dalai Lama was a boy then, and he also taught him, and become his tutor, made a cinemahall for him, and was always stumped by the greatness of Dalai Lama, his eagerness to learn everything about the whole world. But before him becoming legal heir of Tibet, the Chinese invaded Tibet, and destroyed 98% of the Religious buildings. They all fled and for the time being they operated their government out of India, they lose their beautiful land of Tibet. Till 2006, Heinrich worked for Tibet's welfare.
About the book and the author - This book is written by Heinrich Harrer. As per book's notes, he was born on 6th July 1912 near Huttenberg in Austria. He was graduated from University of Graz in 1933. He was selected in Austrian National skiing team for Olympics in 1936, won World University Slalom Championship in 1937, reached Rawalpindi Pakistan on 6th may 1939 to went ahead for Nanga Parbat expedition, caught by Bristish at prison camp of Karachi, in the-then India. Escaped to Tibet on 29 june 1944, and so on.. This book is divided into 17 chapters, an epilogue, a message from 14th Dalai Lama, an introduction by Peter Fleming, details about author's life journey, Harrer's top tips for modern explorers, and list of some related books to read and related websites. It was originally written in German language (as Mein Leben am Hofe Des Dalai Lama) and Tibetan language (as Sieben Jahre) in 1952, and in 1953 was published in english translated version (translated by Richard Graves and my copy was published by Harper Collins). Heinrich has also written other famous adventure books like 'The White Spider', and 'I came from the stone age'. This book is translated in 53 languages, and become best seller in USA in 1954. I got this book for Rs.221 from Infibeam, and I completed this book in 23 days.Two movie adaptations is also been made on this book - a documentary made in 1956 by Hans Nieter, and a 1997 movie version of same name by Jean Annaud, where Brad Pitt played the role of Heinrich. The 2nd movie was shot in Andes, as they were unable to shoot in Tibet lands.
About pros and cons - This book is the accurate account of Heinrich's journey to Tibet, and whatever incidents happened in Tibet, and it ended on a sad note about the plundered independent country of Tibet. It tells about friendship of the author and 14th Dalai Lama, who called himself as son of India (spiritually more connected to India than China). Wonderfully explained and easily readable, this book should be considered as a must-own for a book-lover. It's not political, but about adventure, only the last pages showed the plight of poor Tibetans, who lost their lands and operate from Dharamsala. No country (not even puppet UNO) came to help them, just some false hopes everybody gave. Although in starting Heinrich said much negative about Tibet, may be its true, since he was an intruder to the land, and hence was not welcomed there, and initially he suffered much in the harsh environment, but soon he too got immersed in the simplicity of Tibet, and he continued living their among the love of Tibetans. So, its not fictionalized, but a real account of journey and you feel like you yourselves are experiencing the adventurous journey. But only a true-adventure lover will like the book. A hand-made map is also provided at the beginning which shows the path these adventure-lovers took.
So, if you get hand on this book, do check it out, its worth a read. My take is 4/5 for the matter of book. Let's hope for good, and hope some sanity prevails to the uninvited intruders. "Sadda Haq Aithe Rakh" (Indian censor board removes/blurred "Free Tibet" banners shown in the song, for which purpose the song was written and filmed)
GRuchirG.
Jai Raam ji ki :)
