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Bhutan’s artistic tradition has its roots in Buddhism with almost
all representation in the arts running along the prevailing theme of
struggle between good and evil. A rare blend of Tibetan, Indian,
and Chinese styles in a characteristic Bhutanese setting, Bhutanese
art is mostly symbolic. It is highly decorative and ornamental. The
Buddhist nature of Bhutan’s artistic heritage may be traced to Pema
Lingpa, the great 15th Century terton (treasure discoverer), who was
an accomplished painter, sculptor, xylographer, and architect. In
1680, Desi Tenzin Rabgye opened the school of Zorig Chusum to teach
13 types of Bhutanese arts and crafts under the instruction of
Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. Such promotion of traditional Bhutanese
art has been preserved through the centuries, with continued
patronage provided by the Royal family, nobility and clergy. The
common people, who depend on the artisans for a wide variety of
metal and wooden objects indispensable to typical Bhutanese
households, provide active support to the arts.
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