Saturday, June 7, 2025
  • Contact Us
  • About BBS
  • Privacy & Policy
ENG
DZO
BBSCL Logo
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Education
  • More
    • Announcement
    • Audience Survey Report
    • Programme
    • Radio Dzo-Channel Schedule
    • Radio Mix-Channel Schedule
Radio Live
No Result
View All Result
BBSCL logo
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Education
  • More
    • Announcement
    • Audience Survey Report
    • Programme
    • Radio Dzo-Channel Schedule
    • Radio Mix-Channel Schedule
No Result
View All Result
BBSCL logo
Radio LIVE

Smithery, leatherworks and woodturning facing decline in interest among Zorig Chusum students

February 2, 2024
in Other Stories
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
0
SHARES
28
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

If the number of students taking up silver and black smithery, woodturning and leatherwork at the Zorig Chusum institutes is anything to go by, these arts and crafts could slowly disappear from the country’s cultural landscape. Due to their low appeal amongst students, the National Institute for Zorig Chusum sees them as “dying arts”. According to the institute, only a handful of students take silversmithery whereas woodturning, blacksmithery and leatherwork are no longer taught at the institute.

As of now, courses such as painting, tailoring, embroidery, woodcarving, silversmithery, sculpting, and weaving are taught at the institute.

However, courses such as slate carving did not have any enrollment for a decade according to the institute. Though the craft is not very popular among students, there is still demand for carved slates in the market.

Slate carvings are often seen in stupas and lhakhang. To meet the demand in the market, the institute has now integrated slate carving into the woodcarving course.

Meanwhile, the craft of carving emblems on Patang or swords called Chazho was discontinued due to a lack of students.

“In the past, we had woodturning, blacksmithery and leatherwork. We provide training according to the student’s interests, but most of the students are not interested in these arts, so we are not able to provide these courses anymore. Here, most of the students are interested in painting, tailoring, and wood carving,” said Pema Dorji, a senior painting teacher at the National Institute for Zorig Chusum.

“From the courses taught here, most of the students are interested in wood carving. This is because once a student learns it; they can easily find jobs. The ministry and the government are supporting us as far as possible. Even the certificates provided after graduation are certified nationally,” said Dorji Khandu, a senior wood carving teacher at the National Institute for Zorig Chusum (DZO)

The teachers added that compared to the past, the number of class 10 and 12 graduates seeking admission to the institute has declined over the last few years. There are currently about 100 students at the National Institute for Zorig Chusum.

They say that the loss of interest in traditional arts and crafts could be due to better market opportunities in other vocational training institutes and overseas employment opportunities.

Pema Dorji added, “The courses that were there in the past are no longer present because our courses depend on the market demand for these crafts. Since there is not much demand in the market, students are also not interested in these courses. There should be a public demand, which will eventually create a market with profit.”

At the Trashi Yangtse College of Zorig Chusum, though woodturning is being taught, only around six students are learning the craft at present.

Out of the eight courses taught at the college, woodturning is the least preferred course.

However, efforts are made by the Desuung Skilling Programme to preserve these arts and crafts.

The programme offers training in tailoring and embroidery, sword and blade craft, stone carving, traditional woodworks, metal smith, Troezo and bronze casting.

So far, more than 400 students have been trained in the arts and crafts through the DeSuung Skilling Programme.

Singye Dema

Edited by Kipchu

Previous Post

Annual Nangchoe programme sees 900 participants

Next Post

BCSEA declares classes X and VI exam results

Next Post
BCSEA declares classes X and VI exam results

BCSEA declares classes X and VI exam results

DGPC finalising feasibility study for Solar Project in Wobthang, Bumthang

DGPC finalising feasibility study for Solar Project in Wobthang, Bumthang

Bhutan’s Inflation Rate hits four-year low at 4.23% in 2023

Bhutan's Inflation Rate hits four-year low at 4.23% in 2023

Please login to join discussion

RECOMMENDED NEWS

Bhutan Baseball and Softball Association(BBSA) becomes a member of BOC

Bhutan Baseball and Softball Association(BBSA) becomes a member of BOC

2 years ago
1

Restrictions on annual rituals, making safety a priority- Wangdue Phodrang

4 years ago
1

Some farmers in Dechhenling Gewog start oyster mushroom business – PG

2 years ago
2

Investigation confirms Peripheral Neuropathy outbreak in Zhemgang

11 years ago
1

BROWSE BY CATEGORIES

  • Accidents (14)
  • Agriculture (426)
  • Announcement (174)
  • Audience Survey Report (1)
  • Business (744)
  • Crime/Legal (367)
  • Culture (47)
  • Development (51)
  • Disaster (57)
  • Economy (277)
  • Education (412)
  • Entertainment (13)
  • Environment (60)
  • Feature (65)
  • Featured (6)
  • Festival (78)
  • GMC (14)
  • Headlines (6)
  • Health (622)
  • Legal (52)
  • Literature (9)
  • Livestock (75)
  • Media (25)
  • Other Stories (5,574)
  • Politics (419)
  • RCSC (1)
  • Recent stories (5)
  • Religion (45)
  • Sci/Tech (709)
  • Social (515)
  • Sports (449)
  • Technology (190)
  • Tourism (19)
  • Uncategorized (13,866)
  • Video (136)
  • Video Story (249)
  • Wildlife (42)

BROWSE BY TOPICS

Tender Announcement Vacancy Announcement

POPULAR NEWS

  • BPC’s investigation rules out transformer short circuit as Damchhu forest fire cause

    Viral video of Bhutanese man assaulted by locals and police in Jaigaon sparks safety concerns

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Gelephu Mindfulness City opens recruitment drive for Bhutanese professionals

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Newspaper accuses DPT candidate of political ploy

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • A centenarian’s recipe to longevity

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • 40 companies risk closure over failure to submit financial reports

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
BBSCL

Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) is Bhutan’s primary national broadcaster, delivering diverse news and entertainment in multiple languages, fostering cultural understanding and public knowledge.

Follow us on social media:

Recent News

  • RMA to roll out seven new measures for loan repayment support
  • National Housing Strategy to be ready by September
  • Bhutan begins NFT sales, to preserve heritage
  • City bus viability raised in parliament, MoIT minister cites past privatisation failures
  • Paro MP questions airport expansion impact on affected landowners

News Category

  • Accidents
  • Agriculture
  • Announcement
  • Audience Survey Report
  • Business
  • Crime/Legal
  • Culture
  • Development
  • Disaster
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Environment
  • Feature
  • Featured
  • Festival
  • GMC
  • Headlines
  • Health
  • Legal
  • Literature
  • Livestock
  • Media
  • Other Stories
  • Politics
  • RCSC
  • Recent stories
  • Religion
  • Sci/Tech
  • Social
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Tourism
  • Uncategorized
  • Video
  • Video Story
  • Wildlife
  • Contact Us
  • About BBS
  • Privacy & Policy

© 2024 BBSCL. All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Education
  • More
    • Announcement
    • Audience Survey Report
    • Programme
    • Radio Dzo-Channel Schedule
    • Radio Mix-Channel Schedule

© 2024 BBSCL. All rights reserved.