The Museum of Goa (MOG) is set to open a landmark exhibition, Refuge, Resilience, and Rights: The Tibetan Story, on March 1, 2026, in collaboration with the Tibet Museum. The eight-day exhibition examines the themes of exile, identity, and cultural survival, presenting an evocative exploration of how Tibetan culture has endured beyond its homeland.
Part of The Infinite Ripple – 90 Years of Compassion project, the show brings together historical artefacts, archival photographs, personal narratives, and community voices that trace the Tibetan journey from forced displacement in the mid-20th century to the present realities of diaspora life.
“We chose to present an exhibition on Tibetan exile because exile is not just a political condition, but a deeply human experience of displacement, resilience and identity,” said Sharada Kerkar, director of MOG. “Tibet’s story raises universal questions about preserving culture away from one’s homeland and sustaining memory across generations.”
Supported by the Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness The Dalai Lama and the Vimson Shivanand Salgaocar Group, the exhibition unfolds as part of a larger cultural programme including talks, film screenings, and performances aimed at deepening public engagement with Tibetan history and lived experiences.
The show’s opening day will feature a lecture by Professor Varun Sahni titled Compassion in a Complex and Often Cruel World, followed by the launch of Voice for the Voiceless and a guided walkthrough of the exhibition. Daily walkthroughs are scheduled from March 3 to 7, offering visitors close encounters with the materials and stories on display.
The closing day, March 8, will see a conversation with Karma Thupten and photographer Kishore Thukral, culminating in a traditional Blackhat Dance performance by monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery.
Through its blend of history, art, and oral testimony, Refuge, Resilience, and Rights: The Tibetan Story offers not only a window into a community in exile, but also a meditation on the deeper human capacity to rebuild, remember, and remain rooted in compassion.
Athmaja Biju is the Editor at Abir Pothi. She is a Translator and Writer working on Visual Culture.
