MY DEBUT COMIC

For my first book, I chose the story of Khando Drowa Sangmo. I can’t speak for everyone, but to me, this tale feels like our equivalent of a Shakespearean drama. It centres around an evil king who, after witnessing the compassion of a Dakini, transforms into a just and kind ruler. It’s also about innocent children whose lives are repeatedly protected by their compassion and goodness.

This folktale dives into themes like love, betrayal, jealousy, transformation, and the eternal fight between good and evil. At moments, it even takes a darker turn, with unsettling hints of cannibalism. But through it all, the story reflects a deep understanding of the Tibetan way of life—our values, beliefs, and spiritual perspectives.

As someone who didn’t grow up around Tibetans and knew very little about the intricacies of our culture, this story became a turning point for me. It helped me understand where I come from and why certain values like compassion are so deeply embedded in our identity.

Or maybe—just maybe—I chose this story because it was born in the same place I was: the small mountain town of Tawang, nestled on the border between Tibet and India. That has to count for something, haha.