As Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck opened an exhibition of Indian crafts in Thimphu on August 13, these were presented to the people of Bhutan as a gesture of eternal friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

The organisers of the exhibition, which is a part of the six-month festival of India that began in June, designed the programme on the life of Lord Buddha. Visitors were welcomed by a maze of colourful tapestry that led to a hall roofed by abstract bodhi leaves hung from the ceiling.

“We have related the whole exhibition with Buddhism and Buddha’s life,” said one of the organisers, Sanjib Chatterjee. “The exhibition celebrates the various moments of worldly life as symbols of friendship, love and inter-dependence between the two countries of India and Bhutan.”

As 20 craftsmen from the two countries demonstrate the best of artwork, paintings, pottery, embroidery, woodwork, bamboo work, stone carving, and wooden jewellery the hall is decorated with a rich display of these crafts.

“The entire concept was to enable the traditional artists to come together and see how they can jointly create wonderful works and to learn something new and exchange ideas,” said Anjali Wankankar, another organiser.

The Bhutanese wood carvers, slate carvers and embroidery or appliqué workers said that they were happy to take part in the joint exhibition with their Indian counterparts and that the exhibition might open new avenues for them.

“I hope this kind of joint effort is organised in future so that we can learn and exchange various things from one another,” said wood carver, Chimi Dorji.

A thangkha painter, Rinchen, agreed that the exhibition was a good idea. “We have already promised to help each other with our different styles and way of approaching work,” he said. He has agreed to show his Indian counterpart the fine cloth which is used for painting in exchange for an easier way of mixing colours.

At the opening ceremony, which was attended by dignitaries from the two countries and members of the international community, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck commended the creativity and profundity of the exhibition.

“In my view, craftsmen and crafts are an embodiment of outstanding traditional knowledge and innovation for people to meet their own needs,” she said. “Their collective world of art is a testimony to the spirit of collaboration and friendship between Bhutan and India.”

The ambassador of India, Mr K S Jasrotia, applauded the close cultural and historical linkages between the two countries.

“This exhibition is a platform for Bhutanese and Indian craftsmen to have interactive exchanges,” he said. “Craft is not specific to a country or within a country, but is specific to a region where it evolves with the pace of civilisation, history and geography. It reflects and encompasses more than its visible attributes.”

The exhibition will remain open until August 19.