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Simple story, complex history
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The "Circle of Karma" is the first novel by a woman to come out of Bhutan, notes ANJANA RAJAN
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PHOTO: R.V. MOORTHY
NEW PERSPECTIVES: Kunzang Choden's first novel has recently been launched in the Capital
One of the first titles resulting from the collaboration between Penguin and Zubaan is Kunzang Choden's "The Circle of Karma", also one of the few novels coming out of Bhutan and the first by a woman. Well known as a writer in the Himalayan kingdom, Kunzang believes this book, her first novel, is important because it provides an insight into the society of the country and its women.
As an author, she would prefer to be considered as just a writer rather than a woman writer, but adds, "Partly it's because earlier there were only men." Kunzang, who enjoys reading Indian authors like Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Anita Desai, Vikram Seth and others points out that Bhutan is culturally different from other countries of South Asia.
"Gender differentiated discrimination is not so defined in our country. Compared to other South Asian countries we have a much more liberal society. We never even heard of issues like bride burning, dowry, and the like. We had equal opportunities."
Till the late 1950s, she says, when Bhutan came out of its isolation, illiteracy prevailed, but with the opening up of the country, education became more easily accessible. Kunzang was sent to India to study, first to an Irish convent in Kalimpong and then to Darjeeling. Completing her degree in Psychology from Delhi University's Indraprastha College, she returned to Bhutan to teach before travelling to the U.S. where she pursued her postgraduate studies in Sociology.
Folklore and traditions
Like many before her who have left traditional cultures to live elsewhere and then returned, Kunzang finds that separation sharpens the perspective and interest in a culture she might have otherwise taken for granted. "When you live there," remarks Kunzang, "it's just a part of your life." It was her interest in folklore and oral traditions that led to her interest in the villages, says the author. This novel, which describes the journey of self-discovery of a young girl forced by circumstances to travel far from her village home, contains detailed descriptions of rituals and traditional beliefs.
Kunzang says she writes in English because it is the language of her education and the one she can express herself best in. Her next book, to be brought out by Lotus Publishers, is about food and culture in Bhutan. "Most people describe Bhutanese food as boring. I want to write little histories about food, like in our religion and ritual, in travelling, food for mothers, etc."About "The Circle of Karma" she says, "I think it's a simple story and told in very simple words."
Isn't that what a good story is supposed to be? "I don't know," smiles Kunzang. "We'll have to see."
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