Mani Rimdu, Nepal: The Buddhist Dance Drama of Tengpoche, by Mario Fantin

Where mountains soar to titanic dimensions and snow crested ranges peering from behind one another rent the blue skies, lies the monastery Thyangboche, 15,000 feet above sea level, right under the very nose of the Everest.

Thyangboche Gompa is famous for its annual staging of the Buddhist dance drama, Mani Rimdu, a set of ritual mask dances in which every musical instrument, costume, mask and theatrical prop is consecrated, along with the dancer, in special Tantric rites.

Though the dances are meant to celebrate the victory of Buddhism over the old Bon religion, the primeval power, passion and vigour of this miracle play par excellence suggests a continual meeting point with the common heritage of Tibet of antiquity.

The colour photographs by the author transports the reader to the hazy nether world of the high Himalayas-dance costumes of flaming colours, clear-eyed children, lamas, gods and animals. The book has all the visual ingredients of a popular, and expensive publication that makes an ideal gift.

Jarring: There are also detailed line drawings of the musical instruments and other props that complete the Mani Rimdu festival. A glossary of Tibetan or Tantric Buddhism as well as Sanskrit phrases would also be of help to the serious reader and tourist to get the most out of the experience of visiting or reading about the Mani Rimdu dances. But once you go beyond the illustrations and the special features, the text begins to strike a jarring note.