Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck inaugurated a month-long exhibition of photographs, including some captured by him, at the National Gallery of Modern Art here on Wednesday.
The exhibition titled “Bhutan: An Eye to History”, which highlights the close ties of friendship between India and Bhutan, displays over 80 coloured and black and white pictures. The pictures also give visitors a chance to travel back to an important period in Bhutan’s history.
On the occasion, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations president Karan Singh complimented the Bhutanese King oh his photography skills.
Informing that the photography exhibition has been segregated into three parts, NGMA Director Rajeev Lochan said the early photographic records of the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, close ties of friendship and co-operation between India and Bhutan since the historic treaty of 1949, and a remarkable debut photographic work by King Jigme Wangchuck have been well documented.
Section One deals with the history of photographs of the “Land of the Thunder Dragon” showcasing rare pictures from the 19th and 20th Century. It displays images -- recording the British Mission headed by the Ashley Eden to Bhutan in 1864 -- that have never been displayed before.
Photographs of the visit of the first King of Bhutan Ugyen Wangchuck to Calcutta in 1905 and his visit to to attend the famous Delhi Durbar in of 1911 are among important archival photographs being exhibited for the first time.
The collection in Section Two titled “Indo-Bhutanese ties since 1949” focuses closely on visits of political leaders from India to the landlocked South Asian country and the reciprocal journeys made by Bhutanese leaders. The selection of images looks at the genre of documentary and press photographs and the slot created by them in the official narrative of nations. The camera goes on to capture Bhutan as it steps into the new century and is increasingly visible as the latest newest entrant to the world’s democracies.
The final section aptly titled “Works by King of Bhutan” displays the debut photographic venture of the Bhutan King. Popularly known as “People’s King”, Jigme Wangchuck has traversed the length and breadth of his motherland often by foot. His photographs are both an objective record and personal testimony of his empathy and engagement with his nation.
The recent pictures in the exhibition include the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Thimpu last year and a picture of a warrior draped in traditional clothes with his shield that has been captured by King Jigme Wangchuck.
The exhibition which NGMA is hosting in partnership with the India-Bhutan Foundation intends to give people a glimpse of an invaluable sociological document from decades ago. The exhibition is open for viewing up to January 31 next year.
