Students express their gratitude to the Fourth Druk Gyalpo through the medium of art 

Anniversary: Seventy students from schools in Thimphu expressed their gratitude (kadrinchela) for happiness through their artwork yesterday.

Ranging from a girl contently listening to music, a woman walking in the rain, to three monks meditating with a smile, and portraits of the His Majesties the Kings, the artwork was dedicated to the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, in commemoration of His Majesty’s 60th birth anniversary.

An art competition was held on March 1, and all the artwork was exhibited at the Voluntary Artists’ Studio in Thimphu (VAST) gallery.

Inrig Yoedserma, 8, from Sersang primary school, won the first prize of Nu 5,000 in the five to 12 years category.  She had painted her version of happiness through a strong dragon breathing fire, as two friends watched the dragon.

Founder of VAST, Asha Kama, said they would organise similar programs for children to participate again.

An art exhibition will be held on March 22 at the Nehru-Wangchuck Cultural Centre from 10am to 1pm.  Participants, who are interested to participate, can register at the centre, Asha Kama said.

During the event, cash prizes were also awarded to children, who collected the highest number of pet bottles during a collection drive last year.  A Lungtenzampa MSS student, Tashi Namgyel, won Nu 5,000 for collecting 968 pet bottles.

The home and cultural affairs minister, Damcho Dorji, and officials from the Bangladesh and Indian embassies attended the exhibition.  The event is organised by the Bangladesh embassy and VAST.

Thinley Zangmo