Photo: TamdingArts
Tamding is an artist, singer, political activist and tattooist. He does political tattoos for free in his studio in McLeod Ganj. “But I won`t just give it to anyone”, Tamding says with a serious look upon his face. “First you have to prove that you really know about what’s going on in Tibet”. If you type Tamding Art into youtube, you can watch interviews with all the people Tamding has given a free tattoo, explaining why they wanted it. Being asked about how the idea of giving political tattoos for free came to his mind, Tamding answers: “Every Tibetan who comes to McLeod Ganj has the responsibility to somehow support the Tibetian issue. Giving free political tattoos is simply my way to it”.
In his studio, Tamding has a big picture of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Being a Buddhist is important for him, although that does not mean he will spend hours each day performing rituals. “In my opinion, you have to work hard to reach your goals. If you just sit at home and pray, nothing will happen”, he explains. When he was a child, his grandparents had holy books on their shelf, praying to them every day. “But there is no sense in praying to books. Read them!”
Photo: TamdingArts
Tamding follows his own rules very well and works hard to make people aware of the things going on in his homeland. His studio is stuffed with political T-Shirts, paintings and copies of his first album “Open Road” that was released in 2012. When he talks about his music, Tamding changes completely. His face opens up and he seems to speak directly from the heart: “My music really wakes people up”, he tells. “With my melodies, I try to catch them by their emotions – I want to shock the audience, to really pass my message.”
Although his songs are based on traditional Tibetian music, it was important for Tamding to create something unique. He listens to many different kinds of music himself, and on his album you can find Hiphop influences as well as a heavy metal track. “I write about everyday life here in McLeod Ganj – about what I see and what is important for us Tibetans living here”, he explains.
The only English song on his album “back to me” is inspired by the bus station here in McLeod Ganj. “I hate this place”, Tamding tells, “all your beloved ones will sooner or later leave at this bus station: family members that came to visit you from Tibet as well as travelers, who became your friends. This is what life really is about here.”
Photo: TamdingArts
On tour in India, Tamding collected money to build a memorial pillar for all the self-immolators. Still the fundraising is going on, hopefully there will be enough money in the near future. But even when the pillar is set up, Tamding will continue his work – until the road to Tibet is open again.
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