Payson Stevens returns to SDMA to give a talk and show a documentary he made at Tabo Ancient Monastery in the Spiti Valley of India. Once part of Tibet, the monastery is a repository of ancient and powerful Buddhist art where Tibetan Buddhism has been continuously practiced since 996 AD. In September 2008, Payson and his wife, Kamla Kapur, were trapped in Tabo for two weeks when a huge storm blocked all roads going in and out of the village. He will recount their experi- ences and tell how the Abbot opened up the temples for him to make his documentary of rarely photographed murals and sculpture.
Since 2003, Payson and Kamla have been living half the year in a remote valley of the Indian Himalayas, where they built a home. Trained in science and art, Kamla, Abbot Gesheji, Payson, and Zangpo Lama Payson now spends his time painting and exhibiting in India (www.energylandscapes.com). He has been an advisor to the Great Himalayan National Park since 2000 on nature conservation and sustainable livelihood issues. He is a founding member and on the advisory board of the NGO, My Himachal (www.myhimachal.com), where he is involved with child healthcare and nutritional issues in the rural Kullu Valley.
THE PROGRAM: 3:00 pm, SDMA Boardroom
3:30 pm Lecture: Payson Stevens
WHEN? Saturday,February 7, 2009
For advance registration call 858-792-9439 or email jas[at]dutia[dot]net.
WHERE? Boardroom, San Diego Museum of Art, Balboa Park, San Diego
An IT professional for 17 years, based in the US since the last 12 years. Founded NGO My Himachal and then Himachal Media Pvt. Ltd.. A Himachali forever. Always trying to bring together people whose hearts beat for the state.
