Art
Bhutan Echoes Announces Drukyul’s Literature and Arts Festival 2024

A Celebration of Literature, Culture, and Art
Thimphu, Bhutan: — In the heart of the Himalayas lies Bhutan, a land celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and flourishing literary and artistic heritage. Leading this cultural renaissance is Drukyul’s Literature and Arts Festival (DLAF), an annual celebration that attracts literary and art enthusiasts from around the globe. The 13th edition of the festival, under the patronage of Her Majestythe Queen Mother, Gyalyum Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, is set to unfold from August 3rd to 5th, transforming Thimphu into a vibrant tapestry of storytelling and artistic expression.
Embracing the Theme of “Mindfulness”
Inspired by the profound vision of His Majesty the King of Bhutan, as articulated in the 116th National Day. Address in December 2023, DLAF 2024 embraces the transformative theme of “Mindfulness.” Steeped in Bhutanese values of compassion, harmony, and self-awareness, this heme serves as the guiding star for the festival’s rich array of programs. Participants will delve into the depths of the human experience,
uncovering pathways to inner peace, collective well-being, and profound personal transformation.
A Global Stage for Literary and Artistic Excellence DLAF proudly stands as the crowning jewel of Bhutan Echoes, a visionary initiative devoted to nurturing
literature, culture, and the arts within this serene kingdom. Through meticulously curated events, Bhutan
Echoes champions the preservation and celebration of Bhutan’s cultural heritage and artistic expression, ensuring that the spirit of creativity continues to thrive in this magical land.
Thought-Provoking Sessions with Celebrated Guests The festival masterfully weaves together the literary and artistic talents of Bhutan with esteemed voices from around the world. This year’s lineup features:
● Shashi Tharoor, esteemeed writer and politician
● Anton Hur, Korean author and translator shortlisted for the 2022 International Booker Prize.
● Ashwin Sanghi, writer and one of India’s best-selling English fiction authors
Attendees at DLAF 2024 will be immersed in thought-provoking panel discussions, immersive workshops, and captivating book readings, offering a feast of intellectual and artistic delights.
Previous Speakers The festival has welcomed distinguished speakers such as Ruskin Bond, Pico Iyer, Vikas Swarup, Markus Zusak, Padma Lakshmi, Vikram Seth, Kabir Bedi, Kunzang Choden, and Pawo Choyning Dorji. DLAF highlights Bhutanese culture and fosters dialogue that transcends boundaries, enriching the global literary and artistic community.
Invitation from the Royal Patron
In anticipation of the festival, Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Gyalyum Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the esteemed Royal Patron of Bhutan Echoes, shares her profound insight: “Embrace the beauty ofliterature and revel in the essence of life itself, for literature is the very soul that breathes life into our existence. Experience this profound connection as Bhutan Echoes captivates the hearts of readers and enthusiasts alike. Join us from August 3rd to 5th 2024 in Thimphu, where the magic of words will transport you to new realms of imagination.”
A Testament to Bhutan’s Commitment to Gross National Happiness Drukyul’s Literature and Arts Festival stands as a testament to Bhutan’s profound commitment to Gross
National Happiness (GNH), the nation’s holistic approach to development and well-being. This ethos permeates every facet of the festival, reflecting Bhutan’s unwavering dedication to the happiness and flourishing of its people. Join us to Celebrate a Tapestry of Art and Creativity!
Bhutan Echoes invites you to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Drukyul’s Literature and Arts Festival. Experience the magic of storytelling amidst Bhutan’s breathtaking scenery, and witness firsthand how literature transcends borders, uniting hearts and minds. Whether you are a literary aficionado, an avid traveler, or simply curious to uncover Bhutan’s hidden gems, DLAF 2024 promises an unforgettable journey that will leave you inspired, enlightened, and yearning for more.
Festival Dates: 3rd – 5th August 2024
Festival Address
- Royal University of Bhutan, Convention Auditorium, Thimphu, Bhutan
About Bhutan Echoes:
Bhutan Echoes is a not-for-profit organization that coordinates and produces events to promote literature, culture, and art in Bhutan, culminating in Drukyul’s Literature and Arts Festival, an annual international literary festival held in Bhutan. Her Majesty the Queen Mother of Bhutan, Gyalyum Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, is the Patron of Bhutan Echoes: Drukyul’s Literature and Arts Festival. The festival is an independently organized not-for-profit event that is free and open to all.
Festival Directors
Sonam Wangmo Drukpa-Jhalani
Sonam Wangmo Dukpa-Jhalani is a writer and supporter of literature and the arts. She has an
MFA in Creative Writing from Boston University and an MA in International Development from the University of Denver in Colorado. She is currently the editor-in-chief of Yeewong magazine.
- Kelly Dorji
Kelly Dorji (born Kalden Sonam Dorji) is an actor and artist from Bhutan. He is also the author
and illustrator of ‘The Hidden Rainbow’, which is an adult coloring book published by Penguin in
2019. - Tshering Tashi
Tshering Tashi is a writer known for his works in the field of creative nonfiction. In the last two
decades, he has authored numerous books on Bhutan and has made the country’s rich history
and diverse culture interesting, accessible, and engaging for the youth.
Art
From Social Stigma to Olympic Glory: Dreamers Chronicles Sakshi Malik’s Fight to Redefine Wrestling for Girls

Dreamers-The Storytelling Series, helmed by celebrated storyteller Sudhanshu Rai, returns with a powerful third episode that chronicles the extraordinary journey of India’s wrestling icon, Sakshi Malik, a story of belief, defiance, setbacks, and historic triumph.
In this deeply moving episode, Sudhanshu Rai brings to life Sakshi Malik’s early childhood, highlighting how her grandparents were the first to recognize her exceptional talent. Long before medals and podiums, it was their unwavering faith that nurtured a fearless young girl who dared to step onto the wrestling mat, often against boys, and stunned onlookers with her strength and skill at a time when many believed wrestling was “not a sport for women.”
The episode vividly captures the social barriers Sakshi confronted as she challenged entrenched stereotypes and proved, bout after bout, that wrestling belonged to women as much as men. Her journey didn’t just redefine perceptions, it paved the way for countless young girls who dreamed of a career in wrestling but hesitated under the weight of societal expectations. Sakshi Malik became a symbol of possibility, courage, and change.
The narrative then turns to her historic achievement as the first Indian woman wrestler to win an Olympic medal, a moment that reshaped Indian sports history and inspired a generation. Yet, Dreamers does not shy away from the harder chapters. Rai sensitively explores Sakshi’s period of struggle, when losses, even to her juniors, tested her resolve and threatened to dim her fighting spirit.
What follows is a stirring account of resilience and comeback. Rising from adversity, Sakshi Malik reclaimed her place at the top with a gold medal victory at the Commonwealth Games 2022, reaffirming her legacy not just as a champion, but as a relentless fighter who refused to give up.
Speaking about the episode, Sudhanshu Rai said, “Sakshi Malik’s story is not just about medals, it’s about mindset. It’s about family belief, social change, failure, and the courage to rise again. Dreamers exists to tell such stories that remind us why dreams matter.”
The new episode of Dreamers: The Storytelling Series stands as a tribute to every young girl who dares to dream beyond limitations, and to a champion who showed them the way.
Art
Oorjaa Introduces the Goldenrod Floor Lamp — A Luminous Ode to Nature

Oorjaa, celebrated for its commitment to conscious design and sustainable artistry, unveils its latest sculptural lighting piece — the Goldenrod Floor Lamp. True to the brand’s ethos of fusing craftsmanship, materiality, and emotion, this piece illuminates spaces with a soft, organic glow that captures the essence of mindful living.


Inspired by the delicate form of the goldenrod gall seed pod, the Goldenrod Floor Lamp extends gracefully from floor to ceiling, embodying fluidity and natural rhythm. Each curve of its form evokes the quiet elegance of nature’s patterns, while the warm amber light it radiates creates an enveloping sense of calm — perfect for winter evenings. Crafted entirely from crushed banana plant fibre paper, its texture mirrors the raw beauty of the natural world. Resting on a reclaimed wooden base, the lamp celebrates imperfections — the creases, veins, and grain — that tell a story of origin and earth. The sculptural silhouette, glowing from within, becomes both an art form and a source of gentle warmth, inviting a connection between nature and the human spirit.
The Goldenrod Floor Lamp transcends the idea of conventional lighting. Its grounding presence and poetic design make it an ideal addition to both residential and hospitality spaces. In homes, it finds harmony in living rooms, reading corners, or bedrooms, infusing each space with meditative warmth. Within boutique hotels, wellness retreats, or art-centric lobbies, it transforms atmospheres into sanctuaries of light and texture. Wherever it stands, the lamp adds a touch of organic sophistication — a sculptural statement that softly commands attention while nurturing stillness and reflection.
With the Goldenrod Floor Lamp, Oorjaa once again redefines illumination — not merely as light, but as a living expression of nature, craft, and quiet luxury.
About Oorjaa
Oorjaa is a Bangalore-based lighting design studio that reimagines the role of light through the lens of sustainability, craftsmanship, and material innovation. Oorjaa as a brand, emerged from a papermaking and lighting design studio that Jenny Pinto started in 1998. Today, the studio has grown into a collective of over 60 artisans and designers who explore the artistic and architectural possibilities of materials like banana fiber, lokta paper, upcycled cork, quarry dust, water hyacinth, and lantana—an invasive species reimagined as a creative resource.
Every Oorjaa creation tells a story of conscious design. Whether it’s a sculptural lamp for a private residence or a large-scale installation for public spaces like Bengaluru International Airport’s Terminal 2, the brand’s work blends tactile beauty with technical ingenuity. At its core, Oorjaa is about crafting with care for the future, giving form to light while honoring the cycles of the earth.
Availability:
Bangalore
128, 1st Main Rd, Paramahansa Yogananda Rd, Stage 2, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560008 (our flagship store)
25, Lavelle Road, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001
Hyderabad
885, Rd No. 45, Masthan Nagar, CBI Colony, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana 500033
Chennai
Amethyst, 28, Whites Rd, Royapettah, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600014
Art
Cultural Festival & Face of Runway 2025 – A Grand Celebration of Talent and Tradition

The Cultural Festival & Face of Runway (CFFR) was successfully held on 18th October 2025 at the Lajpat Bhawan Auditorium, marking yet another vibrant celebration of art, culture, and fashion.

The event was graced by distinguished personalities, including Chief Guest Munish Tamang, VIP Guests Amit R. Agarwal, Junaid Husain Khan, and Mohan Karki, Celebrity Guest Dr. Sunil Parashar, and Special Guest Rajni Subba.



Organized by Jitika Devi, the festival beautifully combined cultural performances with a glamorous runway show, showcasing diverse talent from across the region.

Speaking about the event, Jitika Devi shared,
“I wanted to give a perfect Deepavali gift to various talents — so that, like traditional Deepavali lamps, they glitter and illuminate the world of arts and culture. To this effect, I launched this Cultural Festival and Face of Runway, which is now celebrating its 2nd edition.”


Jitika, who launched her clothing brand Jitikd in 2022, announced that from 2025 onwards, she plans to organize CFFR every year. This year’s edition, themed around Dashain Tihar, holds special significance as it promotes rich cultural heritage while offering a perfect platform for aspiring young artists and models to shine.

Adding to the glamour of the evening, Glamour Mantra partnered as the official media partner, capturing the essence of the event and amplifying its reach to a wider audience.
The Cultural Festival & Face of Runway 2025 truly lived up to its promise — blending culture, creativity, and celebration under one roof.
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