Mountain Echoes season 4 completes in Thimphu

The over publicised Mountain Echoes 4 concludes in national capital Thimphu with hifi presentation Indian writers.

While the original objectives of the festival were to promote art, language and culture and boost cultural relation between the two countries, the festival appears to have deviated from the mission.

The festival saw promotion of English language followed by Hindi. There were very few presentation on Bhutanese national language, forget about several other languages spoken in Bhutan. The welcoming part was that most musical presentations were from Bhutan.

The third day of the event focused on the vibrant mural tradition in Bhutan.

On the third day, Kesang Choden T. Wangchuk was in conversation with Tshering Tashi where they gave an introduction to the enduring survival and conventions of art forms that are a way of preserving stories. Tshering Tashi started the session by introducing Guru Rinpoche and his teachings. He spoke of how Guru Rinpoche is the one who had brought Buddhism to Bhutan. Kesang Choden T. Wangchuck spoke about the murals found all over Bhutan and her work towards their restoration.

Rahul Bose and Aparna Sen discussed Indie Cinema. A frank discussion of the different kinds of cinema followed leading into the complex definition of independent (indie) cinema.

The festivals saw the congregation of veteran writers and commentators from Bhutan and India.

The event was inaugurated by Indian ambassador VP Haran, program directors Namita Gokhale and Pramod Kumar KG in presence of Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck.

Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck is the patron of the festival hosted by India-Bhutan Foundation established in August 2003 during the visit of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck to India with an aim of enhancing people to people exchanges.