Artist Michael Mili Captures Tawang Marathon Spirit in Finger-Drawn Sketch

Itanagar: Artist Michael Mili turned his fingers into tools to immortalize the fourth Tawang Marathon. His black-and-white sketch shows a lone female runner framed by the towering Buddha statue at the race site. It is part of his ongoing Soul Canvas series. He ignores pens and brushes to paint exclusively with his fingertips.

The event took place on October 24, 2026. Runners gathered at the Gyalwa Tsangyang Gyatso High Altitude Stadium, which sits 10,000 feet above sea level. The Arunachal Pradesh government and the Indian Army co-hosted the race. More than 4,500 people joined the field. This group included local residents, athletes, and defense personnel. They competed in four distinct categories: the full marathon, half marathon, 10-km run, and 5-km run.

Mili started cartooning when he was only 14. A year later, he held the title of India's youngest professional cartoonist. His work appears in various local and national publications. Through this latest piece, Mili highlights how the race is more than just a physical test. He notes the work captures the "blend of sport, spirituality and Himalayan culture" found in the region. The marathon serves as a hub for both adventure sports and tourism in the Eastern Himalayas.