They are surely privileged, these creative beings who can seek fresh inspirations amongst the many splendours of one of the world’s most beautiful countries. What makes this even more precious is that for a very long time the remote Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan remained cut off from the world at large. So, when it is taking cautious steps stepping into the global tourism arena, Bhutan is truly a prized gift to be treasured.
From the high mountain grandeur to its verdant valleys, from its ancient dzongs and palaces to its spiritually rich monasteries, artists have plenty of scope to unleash their creative spirits. Aside from these, there are compelling vignettes of its culture and communities across its urban and rural spaces, to capture on canvas and paper.
A leisurely journey from through state capital Thimphu, the gorgeous Paro valley, Bumthang and Punakha draws back the veil on some of the most enchanting aspects of this Himalayan abode. Bhutan’s deep affinity with the artisanal world is beautifully captured in its zorig chusum which lends credence from ancient times to over 13 different art forms. Artists travelling through Bhutan’s various landscapes will find opportunities galore to engage with not only the glorious natural vistas, but also local artisans who are helping preserve these ancestral artistic skills.
Thimphu awakens one’s creativity with a fabulous array of artistic subjects for sketching and painting for both amateurs and mature artists. Mark your footsteps with care as you enter this astonishingly rich cultural arena that serves as an excellent introduction to the Bhutanese world.
Steeped in deep antiquity the majestic 17th century Tashichho Dzong serves as the seat of the seat of government and the headquarters of the clergy in Thimphu. It’s also a fabulous living museum with its artisanal expositions. The painted murals of the four guardian kings at the northeastern gateway offer a wonderful introduction to Bhutan’s deep engagement with creativity and colour, fantasy and human skills. The ceiling of the great assembly hall features a fabulous mandala, a painterly feature you will become more familiar with as you progress on your travels to many dzongs and monastic retreats across the country.
If you are visiting Thimphu in the autumn an unforgettably inspiring event is the fabulous Tsechu festival (September/October) which is unveiled in the courtyard of this historic dzong. The riveting performance of the monks who wow the crowds with their expert mask (Cham) dances, open up many aspects of Bhutan’s artisanal wealth. An essential component of Bhutanese Buddhist culture is watching a cham dance; it is considered a merit-giving activity which will release you from the unending cycle of birth and death.
The gorgeous costumes of the cham will take you on an inspirational exploration of Royal Textile Academy and the Gagyel Lhendrup Weaving Center. The otherworldly depictions of good and evil in masks will set you on a quest to find a master mask maker. Mongar village located in the south is the leading hub for traditional mask makers. Did you know that sacred animal masks used in the Drametse Drum Dance have been acclaimed by UNESCO as a “Masterpiece of Intangible Heritage”?
Pop into the National Institute of Zorig Chusum, where you can watch students being mentored in the traditions of the thirteen skills of Bhutan, which they will be tasked to preserve for generations to come. The idea behind nurturing local traditions was to establish Bhutan’s unique identity by wresting it away from the influences of mainstream Tibetan culture and roots.
Aimed at helping promote and preserve these art forms (Traditional Painting/Lhazo, Sculpturing/(Jinzo), Wood Carving/ Shagzo, Calligraphy/Yigzo, Paper making/Dezo, Bronze Casting/Lugzo, Embroidery/ Tshemazo, Weaving/Thagzo, Carpentry/ Parzo, Masonry/Dozo, Bamboo and Cane weaving/ Tshazo, Gold and Silver smithy/Trozo, Black smithy/Garzo), the institute also has a branch at Trashi Yangtse. You will come away with a deeper understanding of how Bhutan’s traditional arts and crafts also serve as a gateway to tapping its artistic sensibilities, as also its time-worn socio-economic pursuits.
In Thimphu’s streets you can capture vignettes of school kids, college students and workers in traditional dress. In direct contrast to this scene, after hours, youths, you’ll discover, often ditch traditional robes for western wear and hit the local night spots such as karaoke bars, or social leisure hubs awash with restaurants, bars and retro lounges.
Mingle with locals in the colourful mayhem of an archery competition where participants togged up in local dress and armed with bows and arrows. You might even be able to engage with one who’d be happy to strike up a conversation and even be sketched.
An unmissable opportunity to tap into Bhutan’s nascent contemporary art scene is a visit to cultural and creative hub, the Voluntary Artists Studio (VAST). Established in 1998 by a group of professional artists, it enjoys the support of Bhutan’s royal house. All year-round activities here include workshops, classes, and exhibitions that touch upon many art forms.
Plunge yourself into the local flavours of the CSI Market with its welter of crafts produced by Bhutanese artisans. Chat up vendors hawking everything from textiles to health and beauty aids to organic food stuff. In the Kaja Throm market capture vendors and locals in timeless scenes of daily neighbourhood routines.
The panoramic Paro Valley is an artist’s haven of many colours and sensory delights. From water colours to sketching there are subjects galore for your creativity to indulge in.
The route up to the iconic Taktsang or Tiger's Nest Monastery offers fantastic views of the Paro Valley wherever you stop to catch your breath from the stiff hike up. On the trail itself you will encounter a stream of locals in traditional dress and along with monks and tourists heading for the legendary monastery perched atop a vertiginous cliff.
Nestling on the banks of the Paro Chu River this lovely tourist hub is home to the five storied Rinpung Dzong with its cantilever bridge, built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1644. On a hilltop nearby stood a lonely ancient watchtower, Ta Dzong. Built in 1649 it was repurposed as the National Museum of Bhutan in 1967. Amongst the over 3000 works of Bhutanese art and history, culture and beliefs on display, it also has a sizable collection of Thangkas.
About 40 km away from Paro do stop and soak in the magical Himalayan vistas from the Chele la Pass, en route to the remote Haa Valley.
Bumthang in Central Bhutan has long been venerated as a spiritual and cultural centre of the country. Visit apple orchards and ancient monasteries such as the Jambay and Kurjey Lhakhangs. Unforgettable images of the gorgeous frescoes on the circumambulatory walls and the churning prayer wheels will etch themselves in your memory forever. Buddhist scholars and monks crowd the courtyards where Buddhist prayer flags fluttering in the breeze carry messages from the citizenry to the deities.
At Punkaha, the stunning Punakha Dzong with its overview of the confluence of the Pho and Mo Chhu rivers, is one of Bhutan’s most enduring tourist attractions. The venerable fortress, set up by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in the 17th century is the shining architectural gem of Punakha, the Bhutanese capital until 1955. It also houses the mortal remains of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel as well as important sacred relics from the distant past.
The grand prayer flag- adorned suspension bridge and the Chime Lhakhang dedicated to the much-revered lama Drukpa Kuenlay or ‘Divine Madman’, are worthy of painterly diversions. The ‘phallus temple’ or fertility shrine stands atop a hill surrounded by fields of paddy.
Time and space mean nothing for an artist’s inspiration while travelling through gorgeous Bhutan. You will find yourself wanting to return again and again to imbibe the marvels of its fabulous natural beauty and unleash your creative powers on its rich and varied cultural delights.