Bhuchung D. Sonam Releases New Book, “Yak Horns”

By Contact Staff / July 19, 2012;

Bhuchung D. Sonam and fellow Tibet Writes authors at the July 15th release of "Yak Horns"

Named by some as “the voice of a new generation of Tibetans in exile,” writer and poet Bhuchung D. Sonam has released a new book titled “Yak Horns: Notes on Contemporary Tibetan Writing, Music, Film, and Politics.”

Launched publicly in Dharamsala on 15 July at Jimmy’s Italian Restaurant, the event was hosted by New York-based writer and blogger Dechen Pemba, and featured readings by the author himself as well as by fellow authors Tenzin Tsundue, California-based Tsering Wangmo, and New York-based Tenzin Dickyi. Acclaimed Tibetan historian and guest of honor, Tashi Tsering, was also in attendance, contributing his expertise to the dialogue on Tibetan literature and contemporary writing that followed the readings.

Addressing the motivation for creating such a collection, Bhuchung D. Sonam expressed his concern over the disconnect he perceived between the work of Tibetans writing inside Tibet and that of writers in exile. Additionally, he called for renewed focus on the Tibetan perspective and voice in writings about the Tibetans both at home and abroad.

“Firstly, when I think about books on Tibetan history and Tibetan society, those written by westerners have an outlook as an outsider, influenced by their own cultural background,” Mr. Sonam said.

“From China, there are many misinterpretations. There is a risk of losing Tibetan feelings and voice in the middle of western writing and Chinese propaganda… I hope that this [book] would bridge the gap between the writers from inside Tibet and these new generations of Tibetans so that they can learn about the situation inside Tibet and find new inspiration.”

Mr. Sonam was born in Tibet. While in exile, he attended TCV’s Dharamsala School and went on to graduate from St. Xavier’s College, later earning his MA from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. His first book of poetry, “Dandelions of Tibet,” was published in 2002 and his second, “Muses in Exile: an Anthology of Tibetan Poetry,” in 2005.

Published by Tibet Writes, a collective of Tibetan authors and poets writing in English, “Yak Horns” is now available for purchase locally. For more information, please visit www.tibetwrites.org.