In photos: rare glimpses into the life of the 14th Dalai Lama

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Tenzin Geyche Tethong was initially reluctant to write a biography of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, even though he had worked in His Holiness' Private Office for four decades. Readers must be thankful that he gave in in the end, considering the result is a handsome illustrated volume, offering rare glimpses into an exceptional life. In this photograph, for instance, relief floods the Dalai Lama’s face as he arrives in India in 1959 after an arduous journey across Tibet, and is greeted with a khatag, or offering scarf. Credit: Tibet Museum.

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Tethong weaves his personal experience of the Tibetan struggle and the story of generations of his family's involvement with the Dalai Lamas into his narrative. It is rich with historical details and anecdotes. But above all, it comes vividly to life through powerful images, such as this one of the Women's Day Uprising on 12 March 1959, On that day, a spontaneous gathering of 15,000 women from all regions of Tibet flocked to an area below the Potala palace in Lhasa, the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas, in a remarkable act of bravery. The leaders were later imprisoned or executed. Credit: Tibet Images Collection of Jane Moore.

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The 14th Dalai Lama's journey began much earlier, though, in the 1930s, when, as an infant, he was singled out as the living incarnation of his predecessor. In this photograph, one of his earliest, taken at the age of four at Kumbum monastery in 1939, His Holiness is holding on his lap a Gospel of St. John card presented to him by a visiting missionary. Credit: Archibald Steele, in A.T. Steele Papers, Arizona State University Libraries, Special Collections.

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In the early years of his exile in Dharamsala, India, the Dalai Lama had two Lhasa apso dogs, Senge (‘lion’) and Tashi (‘good fortune’). Here Senge sits at his feet in the sitting room of Swarg Ashram. In Tethong's portrait many such intimate moments shine through. Courtesy: Tendzin Choegyal and Rinchen Khando (John Faber).

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The Dalai Lama travelled to Karasjok in Northern Norway, after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, at the invitation of Ole Henrik Magga, first president of the Sami Parliament. The Sami are an indigenous people who, like the Tibetans, are intent on keeping their culture and language intact. Their discussions were followed by a reindeer-led sleigh ride, to the delight of His Holiness who had not seen a reindeer before. Credit: Wikimedia Commons (Harry Johansen).

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His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking to nuns from several nunneries who had just concluded their annual winter debate sessions at the Tsuglakhang in Dharamsala, 2013. Tethong notes the spiritual leader's effortless savviness in interacting with people of different faiths from across the world. Courtesy: Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

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During his early days in Dharamshala, Tethong says he used to be disappointed with the lack of interest about Tibetans among the media and political leaders in India. It was His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama's tireless campaigning and unique presence that changed the indifference into lively engagement, But the battle is far from over. "Unless China becomes more free and democratic, it wouldn't be possible for Tibetans to achieve their rightful goal," Tethong adds. The cover of 'His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama: An Illustrated Biography', published by Roli Books, Rs1,295.

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People shop on the eve of holy month of Ramadan near the Jama Masjid in Delhi on Monday,  (Photo by Raj K Raj, Hindustan Times)

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A view of rows of watermelons in Navi Mumbai's Agricultural Produce & Livestock Market Committee (APMC) fruit market, readied to be sold during the holy month of Ramadan, starting from Tuesday,  (Bachchan Kumar, HT PHOTO)

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Pineapples at the  APMC fruit market on Monday, ahead of beginning of Holy month of Ramadan starting from Tuesday in Navi Mumbai, India, on Monday, March 11, 2024. (Bachchan Kumar, HT PHOTO)

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In Srinagar, a shop keeper sells varieties of dates ahead of the holy month of Ramadan on 11 March. (Photo by Waseem Andrabi, Hindustan Times)

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In Srinagar, a road side vendor sells dates ahead of the holy month of Ramadan on 11 March.Photo By Waseem Andrabi /Hindustan Times)-- (Photo by Waseem Andrabi, Hindustan Times)

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This 2008-2009 photo provided by the British Antarctic Survey in January 2024 shows an adult emperor penguin and chicks on the sea ice at Halley Bay. The British Antarctic Survey said recently that the four newly found colonies likely existed for many years, but scientists hadn’t previously spotted them. ((Richard Burt/British Antarctic Survey via AP))

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FILE PHOTO: Emperor penguins are seen in Dumont d'Urville, Antarctica April 10, 2012. (REUTERS/Martin Passingham/File Photo)

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This undated photo provided by the British Antarctic Survey in January 2024 shows adult emperor penguins with a chick near Halley Research Station in Antarctica. (AP)

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This combination of satellite images provided by the E.U.'s Copernicus program via the British Antarctic Survey in January 2024 shows four new emperor penguin colony sites in Antarctica. (Copernicus/British Antarctic Survey via AP)

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Emperor penguins need stable sea ice for successful breeding. (File/Wikimedia Commons)

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