Animated Series on the Dalai Lama Premieres in Dharamsala

The Tibet Museum, under the Department of Information and International Relations of the Central Tibetan Administration, screened the animated film 'Man of Peace' on Wednesday at Maximus Mall in Dharamsala. The screening formed part of Tibetan National Identity Preservation Week, which is being observed during the fourth week of September.

The week itself was instituted by a decision of the Kashag, the cabinet of the Central Tibetan Administration, on August 21, 2026, to set aside the fourth week of September each year for the observance. Its stated aim is to build awareness of and commitment to the Tibetan language, culture, religion, heritage and values.

Speaking about the premiere, Tenzin Topdhen, Director of the Tibet Museum, described the project as a significant milestone that took about five years to complete. He said the museum produced and curated the film, and that it was conceived as a way of reaching audiences through contemporary digital storytelling. Noting that animation on the life of the Dalai Lama is rare, he called the premiere a historic moment for the Central Tibetan Administration.

The series runs six hours in total and has been divided into 21 episodes. Two episodes were shown at the premiere — the first on the 13th Dalai Lama and the second on the search for the reincarnation of the 14th Dalai Lama — with a combined running time of 30 minutes. The screening was presented first in Hindi and then in English, and entry was free of charge.

According to Topdhen, the museum intends to screen two episodes each month, with the full six-hour series expected to be completed over 12 months. He said the project is currently available in two languages but could be expanded, with possibilities including Spanish, Italian, Russian or Chinese. He added that digital technology was being used to preserve Tibetan cultural identity well beyond the week-long observance.

Viewers at the screening shared their responses. Rohit Kapoor said the film traces the history of the Tibetan people, including their journey into exile and the hardships they endured, and that it conveys lessons about perseverance. Bhavya Kumar, a visitor from Rajasthan, described the experience as new to him and said the storytelling helped him understand Tibetan culture, the difficulties Tibetans face and the spiritual journey of the Dalai Lama.

The observance of Tibetan National Identity Preservation Week is intended to encourage wider engagement with Tibetan language, culture, religion, heritage and values.