Unfolding Bhutanese Elegance: Dr. Dorji Thinley’s Thought-Provoking Book Talk on The Boneless Tongue
On August 12th, Samtse College of Education had the honor of hosting Dr. Dorji Thinley, the esteemed President of Paro College of Education and a prominent figure in Bhutanese literature, for a compelling book talk on his work, The Boneless Tongue: A Delightful Compendium of Bhutanese Elegant Poetry, Metaphorical Sayings, and Accumulated Wisdom. The event was moderated by Miss Tshering Om Tamang and was attended by an enthusiastic audience that included faculty members, students, and teachers from Samtse Higher Secondary School.
The program commenced with a warm welcome address by Dr Sonam Rinchen, the President of Samtse College of Education. Dr. Dorji Thinley then introduced the second edition of his book, The Boneless Tongue: A Delightful Compendium of Bhutanese Elegant Poetry, Metaphorical Sayings, and Accumulated Wisdom, which was released nearly two decades after the first edition in 2005. He candidly shared his ongoing dissatisfaction with the original version, which motivated him to continue refining and expanding the work. Despite these efforts, Dr. Thinley humbly acknowledged that he is only 60 percent satisfied with the second edition.
Throughout the session, Ms Tamang’s thoughtful questions facilitated a dynamic and engaging discussion, keeping the audience captivated. Dr. Thinley made the session particularly memorable by sharing his favorite stanza from the book, which reflects on themes of aging and change, adding a deeply personal touch to the conversation. He also spoke about the challenges he encountered while writing, balancing his demanding schedule with his passion for literature and his commitment to telling untold Bhutanese stories. He emphasized the importance of reading as a fundamental skill for effective writing.
The impact of Dr. Thinley’s talk was felt deeply by the attendees. Dorji Wangmo, a B.Ed. student, expressed her surprise at how engaging the two-hour session was, noting that it inspired her to explore more works by Bhutanese authors. She found the event enriching and motivating, sparking a newfound appreciation for Bhutanese literature.
Overall, Dr. Dorji Thinley’s unwavering dedication to writing and his profound love for storytelling left a lasting impression on all who attended. His presentation highlighted the beauty of Bhutanese literature and the passion required to create meaningful literary works.
