By Tendar Tsering
DHARAMSHALA, December 8: The English language version of renowned Kyrgyz author Kazat Akmatov’s international bestseller “Arhat” was today released at a book launch hosted by the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).
Speaking at the book launch in the Tibetan exile headquarters of Dharamshala, minister for DIIR, Kalon Dicki Chhoyang acknowledged the author’s far-reaching contributions in introducing Tibet to the Kyrgyz people through his writings.
“It is rare for people from Kyrgyztan to visit our community and we are thankful for your visit and wish more people from your country will visit us in the future,” the Tibetan Minister said.
“Arhat”, a winner of multiple awards and recognitions, is set against the backdrop of Tibet’s deeply religious culture and people, intertwining the story of an unusual Kyrgyz boy named Adilet, who discovers that he is the reincarnation of the great 11th century Tibetan yogi Milarepa.
Speaking to the press about his book, Kazat Akmatov said that the book is a fiction but “much based on facts.”
“It was very difficult to get any books about Tibet when our country was under the former USSR. It was only after the fall of USSR and the beginning of the Republic of Kyrgyztan that opened the door to the outside world,” Kazat told reporters.
“In 1968, I visited Tibet and learnt much about Tibet,” Akmatov recalled. “Since then, I started collecting Tibetan writings and documentaries and then came across a book on the Tibetan yogi Milarepa”.
Responding to a question on his reactions to China’s repressive policies and human rights violations in Tibet, Akmatov said that all the answers were in the book.
Originally written in Kyrgyz, “Arhat” has since been translated into several languages including Russian, Bulgarian, and English with translations in Farsi and Turkish languages nearing completion and the work on German translation underway.
Since its release in 2007, the novel has been awarded with eight prestigious awards including the international Ruhaniat prize (2007), Kyrgyz Government’s The Bestseller of 2009, The Bestseller of 2009 by Kyrgyz Radio and Television and The Book of 2009 by Kyrgyz Tuusu newspaper.
Before the launch, Kazat Akmatov had an audience with the Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Delhi last week.
“I know my book won’t reach to the people inside Tibet but I am glad that I was able to introduce the book to His Holiness and the Tibetan people in exile,” the author said.
Former foreign minister of Kyrgyztan Askar Aitmatov is also in town for the book launch but had to give a last minute miss due to poor health.
