A group of young Bhutanese artists have brought to life the legendary warrior, Pemi Tshewang Tashi, in an illustrated comic. It was launched yesterday.
The same group has also made an hour-and-a-half long animated film, which is also based on the ballad of Pemi Tshewang Tashi.
The screening of the movie began today at Thimphu’s Lugar Theatre.
The ballad talks about how Pemi Tshewang Tashi, a warrior in his time, gave up his personal life as he dutifully carried out his lord’s order of leading an army into a battle in Trongsa.
His army is eventually defeated and he commits suicide by jumping off the popular Thomangdrak.
The creators of the comic said there is a Pemi Tshewang Tashi deep within every person, struggling to decide which duty to fulfil. So, the comic establishes that emotional connection between the character of Pemi Tshewang Tashi and the readers.
“We have to choose between duties. We have to either choose one or the other or give up the benefit of doing the other. So, there’s an internal conflict every day,” Ugyen Dorji, an Animation Consultant, said
“So, if you strip Pemi Tshewang Tashi of his shield, helmet, armour and everything, he is just like us, an ordinary person.”
Meanwhile, to promote art and reading culture in the country, the team says five per cent of the comic sale proceeds will be donated to VAST Bhutan and READ Bhutan.
