October 29: At the recent arts and crafts festival in the capital, one of the most popular stalls, apart from those featuring hand woven kiras, was a stall on Bhutanese calligraphy. Bhutanese calligraphy including Tshuyig and Joyig originated from Lentsa which is today taught only to the monks of the Zhung Dratshang.

Outside of the monk body, not many people can even identify the letters. There are therefore concerns that Bhutanese calligraphy may slowly die.

When you enter a dzong, a Lhakhang or circumambulate chortens, you will see inscriptions on the walls, windows, painted on the woodwork, or carved on prayer wheel, stones and slates. They are Lentsa.

Our Bhutanese calligraphy originated from these inscriptions. Lentsa which gave birth to the Bhutanese calligraphy is taught to the monks in the Zhung Drathsang.

It is however not understood by the general public. Even those who understand do not know their meaning.

Dhung Dorji, an author and a dzongkha language teacher in Paro, is one of the few who knows Bhutanese calligraphy. He learnt them from a teacher while studying at the Semtokha Rigsung Lobdra.

Bhutanese calligraphy was not a part of the curriculum. He took extra classes from the teacher who was also a Lam. He is one of the few Bhutanese who can read as well as write all the letters including Lentsa, Wartu, Umed and Horig. He was invited by the government to participate in the recent arts and crafts festival in the capital.

At the festival, his stall attracted both local residents and tourists. Bhutanese calligraphy was exhibited for the first time to the public to inform the people about the origins of Bhutanese alphabets.

Dhung Dorji said because not many people know Bhutanese calligraphy, in some cases even the inscriptions were wrongly written.

While it is beyond the grasp of the average Bhutanese, Dasho Sangay Wangchuk said it is important for the people to learn and understand because they are a part of our religion and our culture.

Apart from helping understand and appreciate our religion and culture, it is hoped that promoting Bhutanese calligraphy among the public will help preserve this dying art form.