BhutanBike & Culture

:: THANKA'S, PAINTING'S
Bhutan’s artistic tradition has its roots in Buddhism with almost all representation in the arts running along the prevailing theme of struggle between good and evil.  A rare blend of Tibetan, Indian, and Chinese styles in a characteristic Bhutanese setting, Bhutanese art is mostly symbolic.  It is highly decorative and ornamental. The Buddhist nature of Bhutan’s artistic heritage may be traced to Pema Lingpa, the great 15th Century terton (treasure discoverer), who was an accomplished painter, sculptor, xylographer, and architect.  In 1680, Desi Tenzin Rabgye opened the school of Zorig Chusum to teach 13 types of Bhutanese arts and crafts under the instruction of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. Such promotion of traditional Bhutanese art has been preserved through the centuries, with continued patronage provided by the Royal family, nobility and clergy.  The common people, who depend on the artisans for a wide variety of metal and wooden objects indispensable to typical Bhutanese households, provide active support to the arts
Traditional Bhutanese art is distinctive for its religious flavour and anonymity.  The artist is often a religious man who creates the work commissioned by a Jinda or patron.  Paintings and sculpture are made by groups of artists working in special workshops executed by monks or laymen.  The basic preliminary work is done by the disciples, after which the master carries out the finishing touch of fine details

:: ARCHITECTURE
The Bhutanese architecture is characterized by structural designs and exterior paintwork (shapes, colours, and patterns), representing national identity and traditional meanings. Dzongs (fortresses), Gompas (monasteries), Chortens (shrines/stupas), Lakhangs (temples) and houses are some of the impressive and important structures in Bhutan. Most of the monasteries and temples throughout Bhutan are built on steep hillsides and in other remote places. This ensures that the monks get a solitude and serenity. All the monasteries in Bhutan have some common features though they also have their own design. Monasteries here have a central chapel with statues and separate sleeping quarters for the monks. There are prayer wheels around the outside and a round gold-coloured ornament on the roof. Temples are not very different from monasteries in design and look, the only difference between them is that they do not house a monk body
The traditional Bhutanese houses are made out of mud, bamboo, and wood. The doors and windows of Bhutanese houses are decorated with animal, religious, or floral designs. The houses here are usually of three stories, in the ground floor cattle and other animals of the house reside, the second floor is for storage, and the third floor is the living quarters which often has a shrine. Hay, dry vegetables and meat are stored in the open-air area between the third floor and the roof. And the most important feature of Bhutanese houses is a prayer flag placed in the centre of the roof

:: CULTUTAL HERITAGE
Just as the kingdom's history is characterized by religious landmarks the influence of religion is highly visible in every day life of the lay population. Hundreds of sacred monasteries, stupas, religious institution, prayer flags and prayer wheels which dot the countryside provide a strong infrastructure and atmosphere for the teachings of their living faith. Both urban and rural Bhutan, religious ceremonies and rituals are performed regularly and with reverence. On auspicious days Bhutanese families make pilgrimages to monasteries to offer prayers and butter lamps. The horoscope of Bhutanese life is drawn from the scriptures. National and regional festivities, coinciding with the seasons, are major events for the entire population the year round. The Buddhist world, thus, regards the kingdom with special importance as the last bastion of Mahayana Buddhism. Earlier this century, an ethic Nepalese minority, settled in the southern regions of the country, brought Hinduism, which is regarded in Bhutan as being closely related to Buddhism
The preservation of culture and religion is important into the context of Bhutanese and it is still untouched by the modern fashion outside Bhutan. The relevance of culture also lies in the sense of identity and unity that it confers to its people, which is invaluable to a small country like Bhutan. The efforts to foster the country’s cultural heritage will also continue to ensure that it is not eroded in the process of development