It was overcast and quiet in Thimphu on Saturday, but inside Tarayana Centre and Taj Tashi, the atmosphere was electric. The final day of USHA presents Mountain Echoes offered audiences everything from Classic Bollywood, mythology, modern art, dreams, aphrodisiac food to crime fiction, unusual travels, nostalgia and tradition.
The day began with Bhutanese musician Sonam Dorji singing a 17th century song in praise of the goddess of music. For the Bhutanese, he said, music is the shortest distance to travel to god.
The misty morning provided the perfect backdrop for some poetry, which was exactly what Ashok Vajpeyi and Manju Wakhley gave the audience. Apart from discussing the state of poetry and the beauty of the art form, the two read some of their original work in the session titled The Poetic Imagination. Neeta Gupta of Yatra Books moderated the session. Ashok Vajpeyi read several of his exquisite poems in Hindi, with a quick switch to English for the mixed audience. The young Manju Wakhley showed her conservationist side with her animal imagery-laden poems.
Kunzang Choden and Yoko Ishigami addressed schoolchildren in a session about their book, Tshegho: The Garment of Life. The adorably illustrated book was a hit with children and adults alike.
Speaking of Hanuman showcased Arshia Sattar’s deep relationship with the monkey god. In conversation with Namita Gokhale and Dasho Karma Ura, she said, “I didn’t find Hanuman, he came and got me.” Dasho Karma Ura explained the creation myth and the role of monkeys in Buddhist traditions. All three panellists agreed that the minute mythology becomes closed, the society is in danger.
Artist Sonia Khurana’s work was the topic of discussion at the next session, State of The Arts, with curator Alka Pande and archivist Pramod Kumar KG. Sonia showed several of her videos, including her revolutionary Bird. Of the piece, she said, “Young artists tell me that they find the courage to do a certain kind of work because there is a precedent.”
French writer Florence Noiville and Ashok Vajpeyi discussed the inner world of writers in Words and Worlds. Florence has interviewed several authors, and she stressed the fact that she did not want to reduce the writer to his work, but to touch the inner core which made them special.
Norwegian crime writer Kjell Ola Dahl was introduced by Karma Tenzin ‘Yongba’, and he read from his latest book, The Last Fix. Kjell talked about his work with recovering drug addicts, which was the inspiration for this book.
Gavin Francis had everyone transfixed by his descriptions of life in Antarctica in the session A Love Letter To Antarctica. The stark beauty of the icy continent came to life as Gavin read from his book, Empire Antarctica, and his photographs of Emperor Penguin chicks won the hearts of the audience.
Manju Wakhley, Kunzang Choden and Sangay Wangchuk explained the place of ancient animistic beliefs in the modern world in the session Wild Spirits: Animism in the Himalayas. Sangay Wangchuk put it best when he said: “Animism talks about respecting everything you see.”
Waheeda Rehman graced the festival for the second time, speaking to Sathya Saran about her life in the movies in the session Waheeda Rehman: The Essential Superstar. Sathya showed clips from iconic Waheeda movies, from her demure avatar in Pyaasa to her joyous snake dance in Guide. When asked about her current projects, she said she wasn’t being offered challenging roles. “I don’t want to do movies just for the heck of it; I’m happy living my life,” she said.
Prabeen Singh brought in a flirtatious mood to the day with her session, Desire and Appetite: Aphrodisiacs and Foods for Different Moods. Hunger and sexual desire were the two most dominant appetites and it was logical that they be so closely linked, she said.
Ira Pande talked about her beloved mountains and how living in such a region shaped her work in the session, These Hills Called Home. Speaking to Dolma C Roder, she said, “How can you forget a town full of lovable, crazy people?”
Everyone was wide awake for The Dreamer and the Dream, a session with psychologist Rashna Imhasly Gandhy and Namita Gokhale. Rashna explained how to interpret the messages your unconsciousness was sending you, and it was obvious that the audience was going to pay a lot more attention to their dreams after this session.
The movies screened on the final day of the festival included Finding Happiness, so very appropriate in Bhutan. Tashi Gyeltshen’s The Red Door, The Yak Herder’s Son, Sama – Muslim Mystic of India, Revealed: The Golden Temple and short films by Sonia Khurana rounded off the film festival.
“Ashok Vajpeyi’s eloquent words led the beginning of the end on the last day of the festival, followed by an enlightening session on Hanuman by Arshia Sattar. Sonia Khurana’s exploration of art and the self through alternative mediums and Florence Noiville’s anecdotes were enriching. As usual, Waheeda Rehman charmed the audience and Prabeen Singh’s talk on aphrodisiac food was inspiring and exciting.
“Ira Pande’s These Hills Called Home, Kunzang Choden and Sangay Wangchuk’s animism in the Himalayas along with Gavin Francis’s Love Letter to Antarctica opened up new worlds. KO Dahl’s insight into the criminal mind and Rashna Imhasly Gandhy’s dreamscapes revealed yet other layers of life.” Summing up, USHA chairman of the board Mr. Shriram announced, “The fifth edition of Mountain Echoes was not just a success but acted as a platform for ideas, words, worlds and imagination to reveal themselves in all their thought-provoking glory. Inspiring us to read, write, wonder, explore and share literature. We look forward to the sixth edition of the festival next year which promises to be larger than life. As suggested by Her Majesty the Queen of Bhutan, it will be a grand affair befitting a King, as it celebrates the fourth King’s 60th birthday. We await with joy.”
Thimphu’s most popular bar Mojo Park played host to the Open Mic session, where Ashok Vajpeyi, Manju Wakhley, Namgay Zam, Robert Yeo, Sadon Lhamo and Tashi Gyeltshen performed their pieces. A Bhutanese rapper, Manny, wowed audiences with his piece, I Have A Big Mouth.
The festival ended with festival directors Pramod Kumar KG and Siok Sian Dorji thanking everyone involved for an incredible three days. Now it’s just a matter of waiting for next May and the sixth edition of Mountain Echoes Literary Festival.