A tale, a talu
Angchuk le has contributed to the art of Talu Dungma (gdung-ma) for half a decade. Traditional ceilings in Ladakh’s vernacular architecture include a sequence of layers of wooden elements: Primary beams- mardung (ma-gdung) Secondary beams- dungma (gdung- ma) Willow sticks- talu (dral-bu) Mardung is the larger and longer beam employed. Its name shows its structural […]
Chhu-zyig be-na gyal, mi-zyig dum-na gyal (Distributed water is good, people living together is good)
Ladakh being a cold desert and semi-arid region is a self-sufficient agrarian economy, where the main source of water for the fields is the glacial melt, but with rapid modernization and tourism flourishing like never before, the water scarcity is increasing at a fast rate and the agriculture tradition is going down. With the increase […]
An evening entrevue
Landscaping is an art which is rarely appreciated for their contribution towards the beautification of the land, building and the society. In Ladakh, we have always welcomed the new teachings and methods of the western world to merge with the ladakhi culture and create something beautiful and productive. Our architectural works are unique in itself, […]
Sounds of a Silent Valley
Ladakh is mostly known for its beauty, a traveler’s paradise, a home for wandering souls, a getaway to serenity… However, what it is not known for and what has gone predominantly unnoticed is its craft – its sparsely populated artisans and the narrative of their enthralling lives. It is not known for its two potters, […]
Tourism Towards Equality
Photograph by Régis Binard The concept of “the economic man” that sees the man as the breadwinner and the woman as a caregiver has been changing for a while now. Women have claimed their spaces and are excelling in all fields, be it education, services, or even tourism. According to UNWTO (United Nation World Tourism […]
A Hermit’s Wisdom
It was a mystic night in the village of Thiksay, in 1962. The everlasting silence of nature was suddenly disrupted by a loud siren. This unannounced disruption caused chaos in the neighbourhood and every one was chattering with each other, asking questions. Sonam Dorjey and Mohmad Hassan were young teenagers, their houses were separated by […]
Ladakh’s cultural communication with the past
A place so full of exhilarating and undiscovered mysteries is always a centre of attraction for the world. Ladakh, being one such place, holds much more than beautiful, unique landscapes, majestic mountains, and mesmerising lakes. Remnants of our centuries-old petroglyphs are a big cultural asset, and this form of art dates back to different historic […]
The Last Potter
“Outside the ancient monastery, timeless silence weaves through this living land. Cloaking towering mountains. Gliding across barren deserts. Flooding hidden valleys. Descending upon deserted villages. Everything everywhere, mystically wrapped in absolute quiet. Like an invisible spirit, Ladakh’s soundlessness, spirals towards the cobalt-blue canopy. The blinding sun silently glares “Outside the ancient monastery, timeless silence weaves […]
The Women of Kharnakling Preserving the art of handwoven.
Have you ever encountered the charm of hand-woven fabrics? Have you wondered about their origin and history? Have you speculated on the energy, the vital expression, and the passion that went into making them? The beauty and grace of hand-woven fabrics make them unique and extraordinary. These fabrics embody love, hard work, and narratives. Their […]
Drumroll for the Dzem
Most of us must have seen a beautiful wooden barrel either in real life or in the movies. The wooden barrel is a part of Ladakh’s rich cultural heritage. It is known as a Dzem. One look at the Dzem is a trip down the historical memory lane. Earlier, it was a must-have in every […]
