$30,000. That’s the prize money that just changed the game for the Khadok Arts Collective!

Tashi Nyima and their small team of four in Dharamsala recently received the prestigious Rubin Museum Himalayan Art Prize. Just two year’s after one of their closest friends and collaborator Jigme Choedak aka JC unfortunately passed away. The prize is the kind of validation many dream of—especially when they start as "backbenchers" who don't fit the traditional mold.

In this episode, Namri sits down with Tashi to talk about the reality behind the headline. They discuss what he and his co-founders Tenzin Melak and Lea Taake motivated to continue with the collective, what it means to paint the raw, messy reality of humans instead of perfect deities, and why living in a safe settlement doesn't always mean you feel “settled."

Also, the $30,000 win and how the Rubin Prize impacts the collective and the pressure that comes with it. How he began to focus more on his own works after a scary health issue when he was younger.

Follow Khadok Collective and Tashi Nyima!

Instagram: @khadok_arts and @_hoo.man_

Website: khadok.com

SUPPORT this podcast

OUT OF TIBET is a free podcast. If you’d like to support this podcast financially, please check out:

Patreon: patreon.com/OUTOFTIBET

Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/outoftibet

Paypal: paypal.me/nsld

Follow me on Instagram: @namridagyab

Music by Prod. Pluvio

Tenzin Dazel spent years in the heart of the Paris fashion world, working for names like Ann Demeulemeester and Jérôme Dreyfuss. But she realized that designing bags wasn't enough—she wanted to design narratives.

In this honest conversation, Dazel takes us behind the scenes of her journey from a fashion student in France to becoming one of the most distinct voices in Tibetan cinema. She shares the gritty reality of making her first film, Royal Cafe, with zero budget, and the massive undertaking of her new feature, Dharamsala.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Fashion vs. Film: Why she left a promising career in luxury fashion to tell stories that matter.
• Breaking the Mold: Dealing with the "bad girl" label for smoking, speaking her mind, and refusing to fit the "perfect Tibetan" stereotype.
• The Reality of Filmmaking: The immense mental and physical toll of directing Dharamsala, dealing with budget constraints, and the "burnout" that followed.
• Authenticity: Why she insists on showing Tibetans as complex, flawed humans rather than idealized figures.

Listen now to hear how one woman is redefining what it means to be a Tibetan artist in the diaspora.

Join me for a unique conversation with Jalue Dorje, an 18-year-old from Minnesota who is also the reincarnated Taksham Rinpoche recognized by the Dalai Lama.

• A Dual Life: He shares the surreal experience of being recognized at age four, sitting with high lamas, studying all the time, while navigating life as a normal American teenager.
• Modern Rinpoche: We discuss Rinpoche's passion for the Atlanta Falcons, trading cards, playing Madden, and his appreciation for rappers like Lil Baby.

• Future & Philosophy: Taksham Rinpoche talks about his biggest challenge—the vast study of Tibetan Buddhism—and his core, simple value: "If you can’t help them, don’t hurt them. Just be a good person."

Listen now for a funny yet profound look at a new generation of Tibetan leadership.

Follow Taksham Rinpoche:

Instagram: @ft.luedort

Website: https://takshamtulku.org/

SUPPORT

OUT OF TIBET is a free podcast. If you’d like to support this podcast financially, please check out:

Patreon: patreon.com/OUTOFTIBET

Buy me a coffee: buymeacoffee.com/outoftibet

Paypal: paypal.me/nsld

Follow me on Instagram: @namridagyab

Music by Prod. Pluvio