𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝐀 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬

…𝒖𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒚’𝒔 𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚

By Kinzang Thinkey

In the vibrant mosaic of Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage, a new era of dance culture is unfolding. This cultural phenomenon blends modern choreography with traditional elements, creating a captivating display of rhythmic movements and vibrant expressions. Yet, beneath the surface of this dynamic art form lies a narrative woven with tales of passion, struggle, and aspiration, as shared by the young dancers navigating their path within this evolving milieu.

Chimi (name changed), a 22-year-old who was once a well-known dancer expressed his concerns about the current state of dancing in the country. “Currently in Bhutan, dancers are given less priority. We often perform as background dancers in films for 3 to 4 days, only to be paid 1200 ngultrum. This amount is quite low, especially considering the effort and hard work put into it. Even construction workers earn more in a day. We feel undervalued as dancers with that income.”

He continued, “Our community still has a sheep mentality, believing that as teenagers, we need to study, finish a degree, and secure a government job for a bright future. The community still does not believe in pursuing a passion as a career. In the past, there were not many dance reality shows or live performances.”

“Nowadays, there are a few live shows and talent competitions, but these are often compromised by a voting system where participants with more money win rather than those with actual talent. Further, the judges in these shows are often local, biased, and inexperienced, which undermines the value of dancers and turns the live shows into something unprofessional and unethical,” he added.

He further said, “The government needs to encourage and support dancers who are still holding on to their passion before they lose it. There are some passionate dancers who are seeking funding from private companies and even investing their own money to host dance shows and promote dance.”

Chimi also concedes a positive development in the field. He said, “Fortunately, the Desuup Skilling Program has started to promote dance by hiring foreign expert dancers to train local dancers to become professionals. I have heard that they plan to implement this in schools, integrating physical education in the form of Zumba dance, which is great news if it is true.”

“I was a passionate dancer and was fortunate that my parents supported me. However, looking at my future, I decided to focus more on my studies because I do not see much incentive in dancing at the moment in our country. I believe dancing will become a significant platform in the future, and our youths will be able to sustain themselves through it, but I think it will take more time. If it does happen, I will not hesitate to let my future son or daughters pursue dancing as a career.”

Tshering (name changed), a 23-year-old boy from Thimphu who sustains himself through dance, shared his thoughts on his journey and challenges. He began developing an interest in dancing in 2016, growing up in a community where many older boys practiced dance in Changjiji park in the capital where he lived. Tshering was often influenced by their dedication. “Many dancers used to come there to practice, bringing their own music system and mattresses,” he recalled.

At the time, he was just 16 years old, and eventually, he began to join them. “Those older brothers encouraged me and taught me some moves. That’s how I got into dancing,” he said.
Attending numerous dance shows further motivated Tshering. “Being on stage and performing in front of people is something I always loved,” he said. Over time, he felt a deep connection to music. “Music makes me feel positive and gives me a vibe that I like,” he added.

Tshering acknowledged that making a living as a dancer in Bhutan is challenging. “We do not earn much, but we feel satisfied out of passion,” he said.
In 2022, he and his friend, who was also a passionate dancer, opened a Zumba dance studio. Unfortunately, it did not go well. “We did not have many clients. Only a few people, who knew about aerobic dance and its importance, turned up. But they also stopped coming due to their personal issues,” he added.

He explained the financial struggles they faced. “Due to the small population and lack of awareness, my earnings were very low. Instead of profit, I fell into loss. Setting up the Zumba dance studio cost me around 83,000 ngultrum,” he said.

Tshering noted the stark contrast in how dancers are respected in other countries compared to Bhutan. “In other countries, nightclub dancers get paid well. Here, we get around Nu. 10,000 monthly which is not enough and also have to clean toilets and work as waiters. I feel like dancers here are not valued,” he said.

Last year, Tshering completed a three-month training program on Zumba dance and body combat dance through the DeSuup Skilling Program. He said, “I put up a proposal to the Ministry of Education and Skills Development to implement this dance form in schools to combat sedentary lifestyles and promote advanced physical programs. But it remains ignored, and I am unsure if it will be approved or not. It’s demotivating when our efforts are unanswered.”

Despite these challenges, Tshering remains hopeful about the future. “The dance community in our country might grow. Nowadays, through apps like TikTok, we can show our passion for dance and reach a large audience. Sometimes I think we might get recognized by international dance academies and receive a scholarship. So, I don’t lose hope and keep dreaming and hold onto passion,” he concluded.

Choden, a 35-year-old mother from Thimphu, shared her perspective on her son’s growing interest in dance. She said, “I have a son who is showing interest in dancing, and as an educated mother, I am supporting him. I let him join dance classes during weekends at Gokab Studio, a dance studio in our country. However, I still believe that education is more important for him at the moment, so I ensure that his time is balanced between dance and study. It feels good for my son to engage in dance as it keeps him away from drugs and other negative activities.”

As a parent, Choden emphasized, “We only want our children to become successful individuals, and sometimes we have to scold and be strict when they show less interest in studying and spend most of their time in dance competitions and programs.”

She further added, “If parents are financially strong, it’s acceptable to let children pursue a career in dancing. However, if you belong to a middle-class family, we should prioritize education for our children. Currently, in our country, we cannot guarantee a successful life for our children as dancers due to the limited scope.”

These challenges and hopeful aspirations woven into the fabric of the country’s dance community extends far beyond them; it echoes the experiences of many young, aspiring, passionate dancers across the country. While financial constraints and societal norms cast shadows over their pursuits, initiatives like the DeSuup Skilling Program and platforms such as TikTok illuminate pathways toward a more supportive future. With unwavering passion and advocacy, the potential for dance to burgeon into a viable career in Bhutan beckons, promising future generations the freedom to chase their dreams unreservedly.