Short Stories
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1
Tales in Colour and Other Stories
Tales in Colour and Other Stories is a collection of short stories exploring the lives, aspirations, and struggles of women in contemporary Bhutan. Set primarily in rural communities, the stories portray women navigating marriage, motherhood, family obligations, social expectations, and the gradual transformation of traditional ways of life.
With wit, subtle irony, and compassion, Kunzang Choden examines the tensions between tradition and modernity as urbanisation introduces new possibilities and changes how people understand themselves and their communities. In one story, a young woman discovers the confidence to make decisions independently of her mother; in another, a rural woman is drawn towards the glamour and opportunities associated with city life.
The collection gives voice to women whose experiences are often overlooked, revealing the complexity beneath seemingly ordinary lives. Through intimate portraits of everyday relationships and personal choices, Choden offers a nuanced perspective on Bhutanese society, particularly the changing roles and expectations of women.
Bhutan
2009
2
Folktales of Bhutan
Folktales of Bhutan is a collection of 38 traditional tales and legends gathered from Bhutan’s rich oral storytelling heritage. Drawing on stories she heard as a child growing up in Bumthang, central Bhutan, Kunzang Choden preserves narratives passed down through generations, offering readers a glimpse into the country’s cultural beliefs, values, and imagination.
The collection features a diverse range of stories involving animals, spirits, ghosts, demons, legendary figures, and the unseen forces believed to inhabit the natural world. Shaped by Buddhist beliefs, ideas about karma and rebirth, and Bhutan’s close relationship with its mountainous environment, these tales reflect how communities have understood life’s mysteries and their place in the world.
Illustrated by Bhutanese artists, the book combines traditional storytelling with distinctive visual interpretations inspired by Bhutanese and Buddhist art. Beyond entertaining readers, it serves as an important record of a cultural heritage that Choden sought to preserve as Bhutan underwent social change and modernisation.
Bhutan
1994