Mountain Passes
It’s been a while since India turned into a publishing hub for the sub-continent, with both Pakistani and Nepali writers of repute regularly turning up on the lists of our trade publishers. But for the last couple of years, even Bhutanese writers are trying to find a toehold in the publishing scene here. The way it seems to work is the same way most writers get published here: a friend of a friend introduces you to a publisher who then signs you on. That’s how Bhutan’s most prolific writer, Kunzang Choden, finally got published by Zubaan. and that’s how Kinley Dorji’s collection of short stories and memoirs landed on the desk of his Penguin publisher.
Words In The Vale
The most refreshing thing about the first-ever literary festival in Bhutan, Mountain Echoes (May 17-20), for us jaded litfest habitues was certainly the enthusiasm of the Bhutanese. It attracted everyone from the queen mother (herself a Penguin author), the prime minister, the leader of the opposition and the stray parliamentarian. Not since Atal Behari Vajpayee inaugurated the first Neemrana litfest years ago did we witness such a power-packed audience.
One-Point Hit
Activists fuming against Bhutan’s first beauty contest with a swimsuit round found an unexpected supporter in Chetan Bhagat. “I can’t understand why women want to starve themselves for many months just to wear a stupid crown on their head,” Chetan told his Bhutanese audience. Exactly the sentiments of activists in Thimphu who hate this new trend.
