Society & Class — The Book Roads

Tales in Colour and Other Stories

Kunzang Choden

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