Dust Settled Down, a full length novel, has earned Alai the 5th Maodun Literary Prize in 2000. Taking a particular perspective, this novel explores deep meanings of the Tibetan culture. What's more, the magic elements used in the writing have strengthened its artistic power.
This is a story about a Khampa Tibetan hereditary headman who has powerful influence. He has a foolish son, who is thought to be out of step with the reality, but has presentiment and behaviors which are ahead of his time, which made him the eyewitness of the rise and decline of the system of appointing national minority hereditary headmen.