As fewer youth take interest in reading and writing Dzongkha, the Dzongkha Booker Prize is becoming more than just an award. It is emerging as a crucial tool to preserve and promote the national language and literary heritage. A book about temples and monasteries of Drakteng in Trongsa won the 14th edition of the Dzongkha Booker Prize.
“Temples and Monasteries of Drakteng, Trongsa: A Treasure of Bhutan”, which was awarded the Dzongkha Booker Prize this year is written by Tenzin Dorji, a lecturer at the College of Language and Culture Studies.
His book presents detailed documentation of twelve temples of Drakteng community in Trongsa, including information on religious lineages, local rituals, and cultural significance.
“If we compare books written by Bhutanese authors, there are far fewer books in Dzongkha than in English. Of course, writing in English helps reach a wider audience, but I chose to write my book in Dzongkha because I believe writing about our own culture and temples in our national language can spark more interest and appreciation for Dzongkha among readers.”
He was awarded a statue for winning the competition.
Going by the number of entries for this year’s competition, more needs to be done to encourage more Bhutanese to write Dzongkha books.
The Dzongkha Booker Prize, which initially began as an annual competition, is now held once every three years due to low participation and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Only five authors submitted their works for this year’s competition, which was open to Dzongkha books published between 2022 and 2024.
The Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development awarded certificates to the participants.
Despite the limited number of participants, officials say the competition remains a vital platform to promote Dzongkha literature, especially among the younger generation, to engage with the language.
Sonam Rinchen, Deputy Chief Research Officer of DCDD said, “There are still not many Dzongkha books being published in the country. By organising competitions like this, we hope to encourage more people to write in Dzongkha. These books can also become valuable reference materials for future generations.”
The runners-up of the competition also expressed their appreciation for the platform, saying the experience encourages them to continue writing in Dzongkha.
Phurba Sithup, a participant said, “I feel proud to have participated in this competition, and in the future, I will continue to do my best to publish as many books in Dzongkha as possible.”
Addressing the gathering, the home affairs minister highlighted the importance of such initiatives in promoting the national language.
As Bhutan continues to modernise, the challenge lies in balancing progress with cultural preservation. For now, the Dzongkha Booker Prize is playing its part in ensuring that the language lives on, one book at a time.
Kinley Bidha
Edited by Phub Gyem
