Bhutan gears up for a feast of words and ideas at their annual literary festival this month

THIMPHU: It’s that time of the year when Bhutan’s happiness index goes a few more notches up with the kingdom of hills coming alive to storytelling, music, poetry and conversations amid much camaraderie.
Mountain Echoes this month will bring together a staggering mix of ideas, individuals and experiences spanning environmental conservation, natural history, magic, food, spirituality, and evolution of textiles and design traditions.
The spotlight this year will be on Australian author Markus Zusak known for his international best-seller The Book Thief, London-based writer and performance poet Francesca Beard, Emma Slade, a high-flying investment banker turned Buddhist nun after she was taken hostage in a hotel room during a business trip, and Padma Lakshmi, among others.

The Royal Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck and Waheed Rehman at Hotel Taj Tashi.(Photo Credits: Shrirang Swarge)
Top draws from India include contemporary faces of Indian literature like Devdutt Pattanaik, Ashwin Sanghi, Prayaag Akbar, Jerry Pinto and Sharanya Manivannan, filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, author-MP Shashi Tharoor and gourmet goddess Padma Lakshmi.
The Bhutanese contingent will see spiritual guru Kyabje Khedrup Rinpoche Ugyen Tenzin Thinley Lhendup, ace photographer and filmmaker Pawo Choyning Dorji and Khenpo Sonam Bumdhen of the Central Monastic Body.

A key theme at this year's edition of Mountain Echoes being fashion, frontrunners of Bhutan's fashion world and designers from India will come together to curate collections that combine the textile heritage of their nation with contemporary designs, aimed at creating a common thread between their shared cultures.
In a specially arranged fashion show, models will be sashaying down the ramp in traditional weaves designed by Bhutan's Chimmi Choden and Chandrika Tamang presenting their exclusive line of time-honoured patterns and weaving methods that are fun and eco-friendly.
Fashion faces from across the border include Indian designer duo Abraham & Thakore exhibiting their interpretation of traditional Indian textiles made from hand-spun khadi while fashion guru Prasad Bidapa will join the designers for a session on the global evolution of textiles and design traditions to create wearable clothing.
A joint effort by the India-Bhutan Foundation and Jaipur-based literary consultancy Siyahi, the festival, to be held between August 25 to 27 this year, has gone beyond books and evolved into a cross-border treat with royal patronage of Bhutan's Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck.
Tourism too has been a big selling point with the stunning backdrop of the mountains, its royal legacy and cool climes. Author and festival co-director Namita Gokhale feels, "Over the last eight years Mountain Echoes has established itself as one of the most evocative celebrations of literature. The shared narratives of Bhutan and India, and of mountain regions everywhere, expand the space for insights across cultures and geographies." Echoing Gokhale, festival producer Mita Kapur adds, "The eighth edition of this free, open festival promises to turn the world's happiest nation into a storytelling platform."