Thangkas, old and exquisite, reproduced and interpreted

Kishore Thukral has trekked, photographed and researched extensively in the western Himalayas, and is the author of the book, Spiti through Legend and Lore, published in 2006. Kishore is also the founder of the Dhangkar Initiative, an ongoing project that aims to link the restoration of the ancient Dhangkar monastery in Spiti with a livelihood generation programme for the local community (see www.dhangkar.com). All profits from the sale of his book have been pledged to the Dhangkar project. Through his efforts Dhangkar was recognized by the World Monuments Fund as one of the hundred most endangered historical sites in the world for the period 2006-2007 (see www.wmf.org). Born, raised and residing in Delhi, Kishore has been a member of several mountaineering expeditions. A graduate in History and Law, he is an investment consultant by profession. He is also a bilingual writer. The Chronicler’s Daughter, a novel published in 2002, was his first work in English. He has also authored short stories and plays in Hindi, some of which have been performed by mentally challenged children and young adults.

Sunil Nandrajog, a graduate in Commerce and Law, is an entrepreneur who runs a successful home furnishings business with an international footprint. Although he works tirelessly with an eye on global trends and events, it does not deter him from finding time to pursue his interests. Weekend golf sets the tone for the challenging week ahead. Being on the golf course is as close as one can get to nature in a megalopolis like Delhi. Sunil’s favourite get away is the mountains, a place where he grew up. Their magnificence and mystery beckon him with the promise of renewed life force.

Love of the mountains is one that is deeply shared between Kishore and Sunil. The two have been the closest of friends for many years. Travel, treks and holidays in the higher Himalayas laid the foundation for the two to come together to form Tusita Divine Art. The enterprise means many things to them. Most of all it represents an expression of friendship, a pursuit of free will, and an attempt to familiarize the world with an exquisite ancient art form while at the same time helping to keep it alive.