Trashiyangtse Dzongkhag is known for Shazops and traditional wooden handicrafts. Ironically, the Institute for Zorig Chusum in Trashiyangte is struggling to attract students interested to take up Dhapa making. Dhapa is a traditional Bhutanese bowl made out of wood. The institute did not have a single student taking up the course for four long years until July this year.
A lone student joined the institute this year. Sixteen year old Guru Wangchuk from Bumdeling is the only student studying Shazo in the Institute for Zorig Chusum. He said he took up the course given the short period of the training. It takes two years to finish Shazo training. “If I take up other courses like painting and wood carving it will take me six years” he said.
“Shazo is not so popular among the youth. They prefer Patra, and Tshem Dru,” said one of the Shazo instructors, Pema Lethro. He said many young people do not know about the craft.
According to the Principal of the Institute, Thinley Wangchuk, they are finding it difficult to keep the art alive. He said the institute did away with the course for sometime ago only to reinstate it again. “We are doing whatever it takes to keep the tradition alive.”
The institute receives highest number of students in Painting, Jin-zo, tailoring and wood carving. Like Sha-zo, Troe-Zo also receives the lowest number of students.
