National 9 (Spotlight Weekly)

Cultural Kaleidoscope

The tiny Himalayan kingdom is a repository of traditional heritage

By A CORRESSPONDENT

From original musical rhythms to quaint dances, the tiny South Asian kingdom of Bhutan has a diverse culture. Nestled in the southern foothills of the Himalayas, Bhutan is the last surviving Mahayana Buddhist kingdom.

Surrounded by two big countries, India and China, Bhutan has a long history of struggle for survival. With a huge migrant population in the southern part of the country, the ethnic northern Bhutanese are facing a challenge to maintain their identity. As a land-locked country with a history of tranquillity, Bhutan has always had a culture of tolerance. The past few years have brought some difficulty.

Bhutanese folk dance : Glorious culture

The integration of the northern population is a unique feature of Bhutanese life. Despite the decade-old problem relating to the large number of Nepalese immigrants who are now living as refugees in Nepal and northern India, ethnic groups in the north still maintain tranquility.

Bhutan's survival as an independent nation depends upon the harmony of its various ethnic groups. This is what the kingdom sought to display in cultural programs organized on Bhutan Day during the fourth SAARC Trade Fair in Kathmandu.

The four Buddhist dances and folksongs performed at the fair were manifestations of Bhutan's unique Buddhist culture. The Chham (Sacred mask dances), which is performed at the local temples and monasteries during Tsechus (annual festival), showed the special place Bhutanese culture has in South Asia.

According to the organizers, the origin of the sacred mask dances lie in Buddhist traditions that date back to the 8th century. The Bhutanese consider the very act of watching sacred mask dances a spiritual experience that can help one acquire merit and liberation from worldly attachments.

Bhutan is a tiny kingdom with a relatively small geographical area, but there are 13 main regional folk-dances. Nubi Zhay dance is from the village of Nub under Trongsa district in central Bhutan. This dance of the disciples of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyael, to express their devotion and loyalty to their spiritual master, and gratitude for the loyalty to their spiritual master, and for the establishment of Chhoesi, the dual system of governance in the country, is performed during the annual Trongsa festival. It portrays the vivid way of life of Bhutan.

Wogmi Zhing Koe Drawa is a popular folk-song which compares Bhutan to Wogmin (paradise). This song is in praise of the glory of the king, country, people and system of governance. The song hails the glorious lineage of Drukpas. It also reflects peace and prosperity.

The music troupes also performed folk songs and dances. Jenpa Legso, a welcome dance, is a famous dance of Bhutan. This is a folk dance performed at the start of any festive occasion to welcome the honored guests.

Bhutanese folk songs and dances, which pre-date the mask dance, are natural and intuitive expression of social, morals and beliefs. In addition to the universal themes of love, joy and sorrow, the folk songs reflect the inter-dependence and harmonious coexistence of man, all sentient beings and nature. The performers use the traditional musical instruments like the dranyen (lute), pi-wang (fiddle), lingm (flute) and Yangchen (dulcimer). The carefully orchestrated music, songs and dances displayed varied pictures of the culture of Bhutan.