DHARAMSHALA -- It means 'Place of Peace' or "Sanctuary". Nestled under the Himalaya, in
North India, it looks peaceful enough ..but to Tibetans in exile, it's a town of
mourning, of frustration, activism and politics.
McLeod Ganj, India, is the capital city of their uncertain world.
Local 'man about town', LOBSANG WANGYAL- lives to keep images of Tibetans in the worldwide
media I am photojournalist, freelance and since
recently I have a.. given myself a new title as well, a secondary title -- a 'small town
impresario'
Every year, he sets the town talking with his own provocative challenge to Tibetan traditions.
'There wasn't much Tibetan woman's creativity or woman's participation in terms of show
and entertainment So Miss Tibet popped up'.
I devised the pageant in such a way that it has all the in Hindi word -- all kinds of
masalas, ingredients of all kind of spices. There is politics, there is social, there
is fun, entertainment, education, culture, everything.
Explicitly, it is about empowering Tibetan woman, young Tibetan woman and implicitly
it asserts Tibet as a nation' and Tibetans as a people.
A very important message is there. and young Tibetan women are hearing LOBSANG's
call. In Australia, graduate nurse, DOLMA DRIMEDTSANG
sharpens her moves. I am going to do Miss Tibet and hopefully
I will win. DOLMA arrived in Australia,6 years ago as
a refugee and established her new life in Melbourne..
I escaped from Tibet with my sister when I was 8 years old..
Living in this country is a strength for me.. I never thought when I was back in India that
I would be able to help anyone, just to feed my stomach and never felt able
to achieve something in life. But now it's changed.
I feel like all the doors are open for me everything is possible.. everything is possible.
'DOLMA, Chin Up, shoulders back relax' DOLMA's team has a secret weapon .. for the
catwalk.. Cause it's not just a beauty thing, it's a
political thing right. The most evocative symbol we thought of was
the Tibetan flag. DOLMA is the first Australian ever to enter
the Miss Tibet Pageant I' m doing Miss Tibet because it will give
me a platform to talk about Tibet's issues. Her expectations high after months of preparation,
now DOLMA is ready for India. This is the beautiful dress that I am going
to wear My evening gown. Thanks to all the girls. This dress is for all of you.
After a 12 hour journey from the mountains in a bumpy crowded bus, LOBSANG's in Delhi
to organize his outfit at the biggest fabric shop in town.
My suit has become an important part of the whole Miss Tibet pageant.
Everyone is asking, LOBSANG what colour are you wearing so.. This is a difficult thing
to do you know.. like the Miss Tibet pageant itself
LOBSANG's Miss Tibet suit is his signature. This is it .. with some lights and all this
.. it's perfect. Arriving in New Delhi's 42 degree heat, DOLMA
too needs to go shopping for cooler cottons And then reconnects with old school mates
who are in the 23rd day of a hunger strike, protesting another Chinese crackdown in Tibet
after shocking self-immolations by monks and nuns fighting Chinese authority.
I am going to show all my support today. They are doing a great job and I am so happy at
what they are doing. I am always there to support them.
To be Tibetan is to be an activist. With a few days to go before she is due in
Dharamshala for the pageant, DOLMA visits Tibetan settlements where she grew up... ...meets
a sister in law she has never met before ..and prays with her at the nunnery for the removal
of all obstacles on her path to win Miss Tibet. I feel there will be no problems on my way
back to Dharamsala and to the pageant . I think I'm safe. I feel safe.
Up in the cool of McLeod Ganj, the clouds evaporate when the Miss Tibet contestants
first show themselves in the town. I just love McLeod Ganj...it so spiritual
the weather is perfect here and everybody is so beautiful here..friendly relaxed and
nice and talking friendly ...I just love McLeod. The pageant takes over a local hotel
Two to a room, the contestants have just 7 short days to rehearse and prepare everything
for the 3 day spectacle. From their first official outing, the girls
learn that in downtown McLeod Ganj, it's hard to be elegant all the time.
There are 6 contestants, 3 from India and one each from Australia, Switzerland and the
USA. With the Himalayas towering behind, LOBSANG's
press conference launches the girls directly at the media lens,
I am very happy and honoured to announce the 10th anniversary of the Miss Tibet Pageant..
And like bees to honey, the journalists love the assignment, knowing the front page potential..
TENZIN KECHOE from Minneapolis has catwalk experience. She holds the crown for Miss Tibet
North America. I am here representing all the Tibetan women
from North America Business graduate TENZIN SANGMO, a popular
local entrant, is tall with model good looks. I think this is a good platform for all the
Tibetan woman's to come up.. At 17 - TENZIN YANKI from Switzerland is the
least experienced. Hi everyone I am the youngest here of the
five girls. My name is TENZIN YANKI... I am 17 years old..
I think all girls look very intelligent and beautiful yeah so I have to be really seriously
and hopefully I will do it.
Surrounded by beautiful young women, LOBSANG is right in his element.....
..... a Tibetan Hugh Hefner with a political message ... and the showmanship to pull it
off. Miss Tibet Pageant has elements of both uniting
and dividing factors. His Holiness Dalai Lama said that the only thing wrong with Miss Tibet
is that there is no Mr Tibet ... therefore there is inequality
That's his view about beauty pageant is physical beauty is important but inner beauty is more
important .. perfect you know ideal! LOBSANG is proud of the ideals of his pageant,
particularly his choice of judges Judges all non-Tibetans so that there are
no controversies after .. mostly Indians and westerners.
Every morning the pressure is on,to be on time, to look good.
The perfect Miss Tibet will be like the deity TARA. TARA is in Buddhism, the most perfect
woman. Oh my legs are all paining like that because
of this yoga it's killing me There's no time to rest before the next photo-call
- for LOBSANG's website. Number 1 is the physical attraction because
that is really the first sight like that.. That's great ... beautiful
Secondly I want her to be like warm heartedness, the way Dalai Lama put it.. warm heartedness
warmth kindness that is very important that is the essence
And then to be able to speak about Tibetan issues Tibetan problems, what ever, particularly
about Tibetan woman. There are daily lessons in Tibetan issues.
..All the teachers are men. So she must embody all these different important
qualities. Halfway through their training week the contestants
are exhausted I am going to be sick tomorrow. I don't want
to go to yoga We have to go to yoga again tomorrow I don't
think it is possible
All the girls are all getting on very well, you know. When there is a competition, girls
are like a cat fight right but we are not like that
The contestants want to meet Tibetan women, so LOBSANG squeezes in a visit to 83 year
old living legend Ama Adhe, a saintly survivor of an 28 years in a Chinese jail.
Starving is the hardest way to die but I was young and prayed the mantra of Tara
for God to preserve me. With LOBSANGs chaotic schedule it's almost
impossible to find a little time for the essential girls trip to the beauty parlour.
I have never done waxing for private things ...
DOLMA lets no obstacles get in her way Dolma: It just no hair at all . Dolma Tsering:-
I am scared, Yanki :- I don't want to do it While LOBSANG mans the phones..
DOLMA organizes a private rehearsal away from the hotel
She needs practice with a microphone to get her confidence back
if she can beat a lingering throat infection, her singing voice may give her the winning
edge in the Talent Round Shit I have to sing in front of 5000 people
Yet Miss Tibet is not the most important show in town.
The Dalai Lama has decided to step down as political leader, but remain as spiritual
leader. This transition is a huge transition. A transition
from one political leadership to a newly elected political leadership and from one generation
to another .. The incoming Prime Minister LOBSANG SANGAY
takes a very politic middle path on the beauty pageant .
As for Miss Tibet, LOBSANG WANGYAL asked me to be one of the advisory board members and
I refused. It's not that I am against Miss Tibet, I feel very uncomfortable seeing Tibetan
women in swimsuit. What do you reckon? One piece is better?
But not everyone agrees with the new Prime Minister..
The organizer is saying, if you wear one piece that you are unconfident, he told everyone,
so all the girls decided to wear two pieces now.
Tahnee showed me some cheeky styles Half turn and standing like that and half turn
A late change of venue for the swim suit round sees LOBSANGs loyal stage crew have to improvise
- Tibetan style He chooses an open bush setting at a nearby
mountain stream. Good sort of under control There were a some
like hiccups at the start but all is under control
and the strictly 'Non Tibetan' judges, have prior experience...
Well I am very good at judging dog shows ... being a vet . Very similar categories actually Figure,
Posture, Poise, very similar to dog show judging I am married to a Tibetan. And I am in and
out with them, so I know them very well. So I am the best judge..
In the make-up tent, there is no turning back ...it's almost time..
Ladies and Gentlemen The first contestant in the Miss Tibet pageant 2011 Miss Chime
Lanzhom..
and wearing a bikini doesn't come any harder than this ..
Across stony ground.... in very high heels.. in time to loud distorted music....
And when it's Dolma's turn to run the gauntlet, she needs all her skill not to stumble.
Then Dolma's main rival, Miss Tibet USA, 19 year old TENZIN KECHOE steps out with the
ease of a professional model. And the last young TENZIN YANKI from Switzerland
finds her rhythm only at the last minute LOBSANG's loyal press corps get their unlikely
shots. TIBET packaged in bikinis. I love living in India (laughs) where else
does this sort of thing happen? and you get to suddenly become a judge a Miss Tibet Swimsuit
pageant Its great... As the sunset shines the snow above, today's
glamour is over. Dolma still has two days of stiff competition
ahead of her..
The new morning brings MISS TIBET to the front pages again.
LOBSANGs media equation worked perfectly- pretty girls in small bikinis mean big exposure
in the newspapers.. I got the highest mark in the swim round
I am feeling very confident for the rest of the evening. Tonight we have talent rounds
and the talk rounds -- all my costumes Bollywood costumes and Tibetan Costumes and my friends
are coming to help me to dress up all I have to do is show my talents and the talk round
and I'm kind of ready But despite her optimism, DOLMA still struggles
with her sore throat Dolma sings freedom song in Tibetan in bush
While the theatre fills to capacity ... backstage, getting ready, it's a family affair
The contestants all fear the talk round At only an hour's notice ... they have to
speak in English, to a Tibetan topic drawn from LOBSANGs ballot -
Here are the questions for the 6 girls DOLMAs subject is highly charged..
We recently heard about the recent tensions and crackdowns around Kirti Monastery
She must talk about the recent self- immolations by monks and nuns inside Tibet.
We recently heard news.. o tension and crackdown Although she starts confidently ... DOLMA
falters, but recovers well .
Tenzin Kechoe has all the breeze of a young American...
Shy Tenzin Yanki keeps her talk very short - but scores a direct hit with her last line.
Stop HIV before it's too late... and don't forget - use condom
In the lighthearted talent round, all the contestants have a shot at Bollywood dance
Only DOLMA uses her maximum stage time to show off her vocal skills
Her Tibetan opera is an instant hit. And her voice holds up for the difficult freedom
song..
Time lapse arena setup As the evening closes in on finale night..
2 thousand people crowd eagerly around the catwalk at the Tibetan Institute of Performing
Arts. We coming up with our questions now questions
now yeah ...collaborate so we don't ask the same thing...
Backstage it's frantic... What do you think black is better or without
black? Ready... T-shirts and Jeans
And then its show time So Ladies and Gentlemen the man behind the
show Mr LOBSANG WANGYAL
It's Lobsangs night of nights...And time for him to shake that silver suit
The contestants are straight back in the spot lights - for the introduction round.
My name is Tenzin Sangmo I was born and brought up here in Dharamsala
This past week I had so many opportunities... I met with ex-political prisoner Ama Adhe.....
Miss Tibet is not just a beauty pageant, but it is a political act, because Miss Tibet
celebrates our identity, our culture and our proud tradition...
It's a country town variety show, with Tibetan guest artists, a local Indian Dance troupe
and ....LOBSANG's fire-works. ...Backstage DOLMA steps up for the next round
Miss Ngodup DOLMA It's time to launch her secret weapon -- her
Tibetan flag inspired evening gown. Miss Ngodup Dolma
In her interview round DOLMA takes a very difficult question
Buddhism and the Dalia Lama teach about selflessness and try to get rid of the ego.. and yet you
are competing in a beauty pageant. How do you reconcile this as a representative of
Tibetan Buddhism And acquits herself well in response
I totally agree with you that inner beauty is more important than outer beauty.......Outer
beauty lasts just temporarily you are beautiful ... but if you are beautiful inside you are
beautiful forever.. while LOBSANG tallies up backstage ....
in the crowd, the tension builds And the winner of the Miss Tibet Pageant 2011
is ....
and the winner is ....Miss Tenzin Yanki. Tenzin Yanki's win is a shock result.....
and no one is more surprised than the young Swiss Tibetan herself.
DOLMA from Melbourne is declared runner up. and LOBSANG struts the silver suit once more
In the dressing room Tenzin YANKI's family gets ready to party.. and the other contestants
each try to come to terms with the surprise result ..
I think Kechoe should win ..... she deserves it
Kechoe is philosophical --while Dolma is strangely quiet. The following morning there is still such
dismay about the result the girls meet ... I think LOBSANG WANGYAL is a fraud He cheated,
everyone knows that. We want to know the truth. We want to know
how did the process go? In solidarity, the girls decide to confront
LOBSANG,. I decided to come to this pageant because
I saw you as a good ideal Tibetan man who wanted to do something for Tibetan youth and
empower Tibetan women When Dolma calmly asks to see the marking
sheets, LOBSANG conveniently claims to have lost them.
I don't have the judges' sheet.. it was stolen .. on the night.
It is not in the file. The file is empty He said the judging sheets have been lost
....somebody stole them When I went onstage somebody stole it
I was also surprised Uncomfortable with such a challenge from feisty,
assertive women -- LOBSANG asks them to leave Go - Get lost
DOLMA firmly stands her ground determined to get a truthful answer about the marking,
I told you everything, now please get out! Under pressure - LOBSANG finally discloses
his secret assessment system.. Each category has 20 marks
So add it up... He reveals that the non-Tibetan judges are
in control of only 25% of the evaluation the other 75% of the assessment process is
totally in LOBSANGs hands ... so much for his Non Tibetan judges..
Why didn't you tell me before..I have been wasting my time..
DOLMA loses her cool. She feels strongly that LOBSANG has manipulated the result.
What can I do about it now. It's over. You
are too selfish You deceived us by not telling us before the
Pageant You are a fraud
Yes I am now please go Miss Tibet should be someone
who is calm and listens and be respectful and see if this is how Miss Tibet will be
Oh my God No. Oh my god
I have come to think that Lobsang Wangyal's Pageant doesn't empower Tibetan women. It
does the opposite, it disempowers Tibetan women. So I believe the only way it could
have any value is if it were run by a women. And that doesn't look likely to happen any
time soon This is my baby!
Ten Years Old