Kelly Dorji

Source: BO,

I launched myself as a hero

8 January 2010

After walking the ramps in India and appearing in several Bollywood movies, 38-year-old Kalden Sonam Dorji,famously known as Kelly Dorji, shot his first Bhutanese film last month. He shares his experiences working in the Bhutanese film industry with our reporter Tandin Pem.

Q. Why did you decide to work in a Bhutanese movie?

A. I have always wanted to come back home. I have been planning to work here. I am happy that I am able to do what I love in the country that I love.

Q. How was working in Bhutan different from working in Bollywood?

A. We emulate Bollywood a little only because our audience is so used to it. But at the same time I think we have a unique perspective. We have a far greater passion for what we do even though it may be on a smaller scale, supported by smaller amount of money. In that regard we are on a good start.

Q. Can you share your experiences working in your first Bhutanese movie, Sem Gawai Tasha?

A. Working on Sem Gawai Tasha has been a pleasurable stress. Never before did I enjoy waking up at five in the morning and looking forward to the rest of the day and collapsing at 10 at night out of exhaustion for 32 straight days. But, I felt the passion along with the rest of the crew. The director, technicians and the whole crew really had a fabulous experience working on it. It has been a dream project with a dream team.

Q. Your fans in the country have a lot of expectations from you in this movie. Comment.

A. My fans in Bhutan are used to seeing me in a negative light because I play mostly villainous role in Indian cinema. Here, I have completely changed and launched myself as a hero. I have been careful to portray an image not to glorify myself but to create a hero image in Bhutan which we have not been able to do successfully in the past. The aim of Sem Gawai Tasha is to create a star hero image who you would like to see again and again. As far as my fans are concerned in this country, I think they don’t have anything to worry about Sem Gawai Tasha. They are going to enjoy themselves.

Q. Are you planning for a long term career as an actor in Bhutan?

A. Definitely, I am an actor, and that is my profession and chosen career.

Q. What are the good and bad of Bhutanese film industry? How can the shortfalls be improved?

A. Sem Gawai Tasha in particular has been designed particularly to make an impact to start a serious growth in all aspects of filmmaking in Bhutan. Larger budgets, more organised production, distribution, professional crews, serious pre-production, serious filming on schedules, and most importantly, going the distance by taking full interest in the post-production as well.

Q. Do you have any plans to make your own movie in Bhutan in future?

A. Yes definitely. I already have a few plans, just waiting for a few things to fall into place.

Q. How do you see the future of Bhutanese film industry in terms of money and professionalism?

A. Professionalism is something which comes from an organisational skill so it can only develop as the industry develops. Money is improving.

Q. The film industry lacks professionals, theatres are scarce, market is small and piracy is becoming rampant in the country. How do you think the film industry can come out of this hole?

A. Piracy is a serious issue and only the law can help us in that degree and it reflects upon our own morals and conscience. But it exists, and we need to do something about it. Theatres will come about, it needs to do business and we have a small population so we can only develop according to the population.

Thimphu’s second music school opening this month

Source: Bhutanobserver.bt

14 January 2010

The second music school in Thimphu, The Himalayan School of Music, is expected to open this month. The school has already started receiving bookings.

A ccording to the founders of the school, with just one music school in Thimphu, many music enthusiasts are deprived of the opportunity to learn music. The new school would help more interested people learn music, said the founders.

Located below the Shopper’s Store, the school will be a full-time. In winter, classes will be conducted from 9 am to 5:30 pm and in summer, from 3 pm to 8 pm. Classes will be held individually, and personal attention will be given to every student, according to the founders.

The fees are between Nu 1,000 and Nu 1,200 for a month depending on the music instrument students choose to learn. The school will offer lessons on guitar, keyboard, drums, violin and singing. Students can learn contemporary music including alternative rock, jazz and blues. Certificates will be awarded after the completion of the course.

“A music school can help the younger generation spend their free time in a productive way. It can also help them unleash their hidden talents which will create new opportunities for them,” said Yogen Chhetri, one of the founders.

The school would encourage the youth to build careers in the music industry, which is one of the fastest growing industries in the world today, and may in a small way help reduce unemployment in the country, he added.

I nitially, the school will have four teachers from India. But the founders said that as the school grows, they would train Bhutanese nationals to assist the music teachers. The school is affiliated to Noida School of Rock in New Delhi, India, and the examinations will be conducted through Trinity College of Music, Rock School, Royal School of Music in London.

By Tandin Pem

The silent charmer

Source: Bhutan Observer

7 January 2010

Your radiant smile,

Like sunshine in the dark,

Lights up the whole world;

Let not your smile disappear.

Stunned by your charming face,

I forgot to blink my eyes;

Smitten by your endearing words,

I lost control over my breath.

These lines are taken from some of the finest romantic rigsar songs written by one of the finest lyricists in Bhutan, Lopoen Tashi Tobgay.He is not a singer, but a silent charmer.

He is behind the success of many popular songs, singers and movies. His lyrics are known for originality and romanticism.

Some of his most popular lyrics written for Bhutanese movies include Hingtam, Tshe Daray Chhepi Chharo, Jamtse Chengi Apa, and Chhoe Gawi Zhum Dang.

Apart from romantic themes, his songs also dwell on patriotism and moral values.Some of his finest patriotic songs include Drukgi Gyalkhab Chhungku, Menjong Drukgi Gyalkhab, Na Rangi Taru Gatogto, and Thuenpa Puen Zhee.

Lopoen Tashi says that he loves music and believes that it is the food of love. His passion for lyrics writing began as early as his high school days. He first wrote lyrics in praise of the dramnyen when he was in class X at the Institute of Language and Culture Studies (ILCSCS) in Semtokha.

He wrote the lyrics for his class during an inter-class music competition.Until now, he has written over 70 songs, most of which are rigsar and romantic. At the annual film festival in 2006, he won the best lyrics award for his song Tshe Daray Chhepi Chharo from the film Muti Thrishing.

Although his lyrics are hugely popular among filmmakers,he has never attached a price tag on them. He writes lyrics as labour of love. As a lecturer teaching Nyen Ngag (poetry) at ILCSCS, Lopoen Tashi believes that writing lyrics, essays and poems in Dzongkha will go a long way in promoting the national language.

“I am contributing something to the country by teaching and writing,” he says.The 34-year-old bachelor is planning to write nursery songs for young students.Lopoen Tashi Tobgay comes from Dawathang in Bumthang.

He is the only child of his parents.While pursuing Dzongkha honours course at Sherubtse College from 1997 to 2000, he received the Gold Medal and President’s Medal for academic excellence.

He holds an MA degree in Buddhist Philosophy from Zhung  Dratshang,the central monastic body.

By Namgay Tshering