Over the succeeding months Mr Harrer became his photographer, his teacher and his friend.

ECONOMIST: Heinrich Harrer

Keyed up by that, Mr Harrer longed to be picked for a Himalayan expedition.

ECONOMIST: Heinrich Harrer

Mr Harrer, a champion skier and, since his village boyhood, happiest on snow and ice, built a skating rink below the palace.

ECONOMIST: Heinrich Harrer

Mr Harrer built him one, running the projector off an old Jeep engine, and discovered at his first proper audience with the living Buddha that the boy had already dismantled and re-assembled it, all by himself.

ECONOMIST: Heinrich Harrer