Selected Readings

Selected References

BOOKS

The History of Bhutan – Karma Phuntsho
Folktales of Bhutan – Kunzang Choden
Architectural Heritage Journal 2006 – Department of Culture, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs
18. Architectural heritage journal – 2 – 2011
Mapping the Tibetan World –
The Kingdom at the centre of the World- Journeys into Bhutan.
Passu Diary – Chablop Passang Chering
The Hero with a Thousand Eyes – A Historical Novel- Karma Ura
Bhutan 1837-1838 – William Griffith
The Talisman of Good Fortune and Other Stories from Rural Bhutan – Rinzin Rinzin.
Kyetse… destiny calls – Chador Wangmo
Married to Bhutan – Linda Leaming
Treasures of the Thunder Dragon: A Portrait of Bhutan by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, Queen of Bhutan
Bhutan: Himalayan Mountain Kingdom by Françoise Pommaret
Sources for the History of Bhutan – Micheal Aris
An Introduction to Traditional Architecture of Bhutan by Department of Works, Housing and Roads.
The Raven Crown by Michael Aris.
Twilight Cultures – Tradition and Change in Four Rural Communities in Bhutan – Karma Phuntsho.
The Folk Heritage Museum -Phelchey Toenkhyim
7. Views of Medieval Bhutan: the diary and drawings of Samuel Davis.
Clear Expositions of Bhutanese Architecture- Chang Dorji

RESEARCH PAPERS and ARTICLES

ON_BHUTANESE_AND_TIBETAN_DZONGS– Ingun B. Amundsen
Tashichhodzong – The Fortress of the Glorious religion
Monpas of Bhutan: A Study of Tribal Survival and Development Responses 03 Raghubir CHAND(p25-37)
Bhutan-Arch-Guidelines-final-2014
Helvetas Bhutan 40 Years
THE TRADITION OF BETEL AND ARECA IN BHUTAN -Francois Pommaret. Doma- Francois Pommaret
https://kuenselonline.com/punakha-dromchhoe-a-moment-of-pride-for-the-people-of-wang-tshochengay-2/
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/bhutan/a/nar/e52bbaea-ebd0-42bf-8483-eab3f4aa4c98/355819
Tango Monastery tango
The Sacred Mani Stones of Buddhists.
Jambay Lhakhang

VIDEOS

Sharing my thoughts and experiences of Bhutan has been an ongoing process over the past 6 years. Beginning with a road trip in 2014 with Jeeth, where I first met Ugyen and Gyelmo, up until the present (2020) as they prepare to move into their newly built house, this story has developed over our conversations over many meetings in Bhutan and Bangalore. This blog, which talks of architecture through the lens of personal experience and in the context of Bhutan, had its genesis in the attempt to understand different cultures and in the realisation of the many similarities that emerge.

Photography credits for this blog are shared between Ugyen, Jeeth and myself.

Conversations with Rajni Chavda, Pem Gyaltsen (Jason), Dorji Yangke and other architects in Bhutan provided valuable insight into the focus of our exploration, and for that we are very thankful to them.

Tharunya has been the latest entrant into the process, and has been an excellent editor. She has helped identify the core of numerous and varied ideas and presented them in a structured and coherent pattern, without losing the flavour of what is being said.

This blog is dedicated to the many Bhutanese we have met over the years – from the vendors in the markets to the carpenters and masons on the numerous building sites; from the people in Ugyen and Gyelmo’s families and neighbourhoods, to the officials in the ministry – who have shared their perspectives with us generously, and whose stories we are honoured to tell.

Ugyen Wangchuk

Punap Ugyen Wangchuk is a Bhutanese photographer, serial entrepreneur and ex-monk. He spent his early years in the monasteries of Punakha. He moved into an administrative role before leaving to the US to study English and photography. Upon returning, he began his quest to marry his love for his country with his entrepreneurial spirit. His endeavours have been diverse - a specialist touring company, an authentic bhutanese crafts shop, and an ecolodge. Through it all, he has sought to bring traditional sustainable practices into the mainstream, believing that the wisdom of the past must adapt to the realities of the present.

Jeeth Iype

Jeeth Iype is a social entrepreneur with a background in sustainable architecture. His vision of the world is built on the themes of community, collaboration and ecology. As Director of Good Earth, he has been involved in the development of numerous eco-friendly and context-sensitive residential developments. His quest to further the cause of threatened and rare environments has led to his projects in ecotourism in places like Ladakh, Uttarakhand and Bhutan. Jeeth is a passionate photographer with a specific interest in astro-photography.

Tharunya Balan

Tharunya Balan is a planner and architect with a passion for the written language and a burning desire to change the world. Her studies and work in the field of urban planning have repeatedly brought home to her the importance of, and need for, sustainable development. Tharunya believes in the power of communication and the ability of stories to change hearts and shape minds. She currently teaches English and Theatre to school students while freelancing as a designer and editor. Tharunya lives in Bangalore with her cat. Her email id is balan.tharunya@gmail.com

Natasha Iype

I am an architect who has been involved in building sustainable communities in Bangalore since 1995. Until 2017, I headed the design studio at GoodEarth, In my work which focused on making users understand and be a part of the design and building process, my enthusiasm for studying human behavior in the context of architecture was infectious and it was through the telling of anecdotes about places and people that I received encouraging responses. This blog is an outcome of wanting to share these observations and reflections with the reader.

Natasha on Looking Ahead…
Nataraj on In search of the evolving vernacular
Marcy on Looking Ahead…
Vinay on Looking Ahead…
Sandeep Basrur on Tshechu in the Dzong