TraveLive at Zorig Chusum – 1

The students of Modern School, Vasant Vihar, embarked on an exciting journey to Bhutan: The Mountain Kingdom. Their journey took them to Thimphu, the capital city, and Paro. During their visit to Thimphu, the students visited the Zorig Chusum School of Arts and Crafts to get a first-hand understanding of the 13 unique crafts of Bhutan. Over the course of the visit, a few students conducted an interview with a student from the Zorig Chusum School. Below are excerpts from the interview.

Knowledge sharing session at Zorig Chusum

Interviewers: Apara, Ilisha, Harshman, Abhav (photographer), Reyaan, Rachelle
Interviewee: Tandinwang Mothapa (Student- Female)

Q1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from, where do you live?

A – I am a final year student of Tshem Zo (embroidery). I stay with my brother in Thimphu and I am 22 years old.

Q2) What motivated you to come and study in this school?

A – I wanted to know about my country’s culture and to learn the traditional art form of my nation and understand the heritage of my country better.

Q3) Are you learning a single form of art/craft or there are many? Which is your specialization?

A – I am learning a single art form, which is the art form of Tshem Zo (embroidery).

Q4) Why did you choose this particular art/ craft as your specialization?

A – I was always interested in doing embroidery.

Q5) How many years does a person need to study in this school before graduating and starting their professional life?

A – It depends on the form of art that a person is pursuing.

The dedication of students at the Arts and Crafts School was truly commendable

Q6) After graduating from this school, what kind of work do the students get?

A – After completing their graduation people generally work in gallery shops or monasteries. Many of them run their own business as well.

Q7) How do Bhutanese people keep in touch with the Zorig Chusum in their day-to-day life?

A – Bhutanese generally dress in their traditional costumes i.e. Gho and Kira. It reflects their culture.

Q8) Are any of the 13 crafts now dying or not in use much? Which one(s) and what is the reason according to you?

A – Mask carving is not much in use nowadays as there is no teacher available for this art form.

Q9) You must be getting a lot of visitors like us; do you get disturbed with people coming in and out?

A – No, they generally do not interact with us.

Q10) If you have to give one message or advice to visitors here, what would that be? 

A- Learn and enjoy.

Q11) Do you think any other form of art can be added in this list of traditional arts and crafts?

A- Knitting can be another art form as many people are interested in learning this art nowadays.

We thank Ms. Tandinwang Mothapa who willingly participated in the interview, and we would also like to thank the Zorig Chusum School of Art and Craft for the opportunity to conduct this interview, and for the opportunity of interacting with the esteemed teachers and students of this institute.

Students are engrossed in activities at the school