Traditionally, individual creativity was discouraged in our culture. No names of authors can be found on famous 'namthars', nor names of painters of famous 'thangkas'. Has it something to do with why we lack creativity?
There is one industry that badly needs creativity. And that is the music and entertainment industry. But sadly, most of our movies are based on existing Hollywood and Bollywood productions either in their story line or presentation. And most of our modern songs are either copied from Tibetan, Hindi or Nepali songs.
I like Bhutanese as well as Tibetan music, and I listen to them both. Many Bhutanese who do not listen to Tibetan songs will be surprised to know that most of the tunes of our modern songs actually come directly from Tibetan songs. I found that at least the tunes of Mr. Kezang Dorji (blind singer) are his own. I do not mean to downplay the role of our gifted singers in promoting our culture, but they would be even greater artists than they are now if they were more original.
And what of creativity in writing? Our society and our villages have a lot of things to write about. Yet, we have very few books written by Bhutanese.
Our lack of creativity may have something to do with our education system. Our schools have great teachers who teach children how to be good people and how to say "Lasola". They explain the text books very well too. On the other hand, the exercises to make children think, analyse and do things on their own are few or missing. Children are expected not to question the teachers or what is written in the text books.
This education system should change. Home-works on topics that require the children to explore the environment and community on their own and make their own analysis should be encouraged. Such home-works should have no right or wrong answers, just their own analysis and conclusions. This will not only make the learning interesting for the children, but gift Bhutan with original thinkers and creative artists somewhere down the line.
There is one industry that badly needs creativity. And that is the music and entertainment industry. But sadly, most of our movies are based on existing Hollywood and Bollywood productions either in their story line or presentation. And most of our modern songs are either copied from Tibetan, Hindi or Nepali songs.
I like Bhutanese as well as Tibetan music, and I listen to them both. Many Bhutanese who do not listen to Tibetan songs will be surprised to know that most of the tunes of our modern songs actually come directly from Tibetan songs. I found that at least the tunes of Mr. Kezang Dorji (blind singer) are his own. I do not mean to downplay the role of our gifted singers in promoting our culture, but they would be even greater artists than they are now if they were more original.
And what of creativity in writing? Our society and our villages have a lot of things to write about. Yet, we have very few books written by Bhutanese.
Our lack of creativity may have something to do with our education system. Our schools have great teachers who teach children how to be good people and how to say "Lasola". They explain the text books very well too. On the other hand, the exercises to make children think, analyse and do things on their own are few or missing. Children are expected not to question the teachers or what is written in the text books.
This education system should change. Home-works on topics that require the children to explore the environment and community on their own and make their own analysis should be encouraged. Such home-works should have no right or wrong answers, just their own analysis and conclusions. This will not only make the learning interesting for the children, but gift Bhutan with original thinkers and creative artists somewhere down the line.
1 comment:
Hmm I love the idea behind this website, very unique.
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