Thimphu, August 3: The Indian Embassy in Bhutan hosted a grand dinner to kick off the 15th Bhutan Ecos: Drukyul Literature and Arts Festival. The event was graced by Her Majesty Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck.
The embassy shared glimpses of the event on social media, showcasing vibrant performances that captivated attendees. Each year, a theme is selected for this literature and arts festival, and this year’s theme was “The Art of Being Human.”
According to the embassy, this theme encourages reflection on the significance of humanity in today’s rapidly changing technological landscape.
During the inaugural dinner, Dr. Saba Hashmi, a cultural educator from the embassy’s Cultural Centre, and the Bhutanese music group Druk Revival enriched the evening with a blend of contemporary, classical, and Sufi Indian music.
The 15th edition of the Drukyul Literature and Arts Festival took place from August 1 to 3, 2026, at the Royal University of Bhutan in Thimphu. The festival featured creative and analytical talks, with works being celebrated and honored. Local and international speakers delivered memorable presentations.
Originally held in 2010 as “Mountain Ecos,” the festival underwent a transformation post-COVID-19 and has been officially recognized as the “Bhutan Ecos – Drukyul Literature and Arts Festival” since 2021-2022.
On August 1, bestselling Indian author Ashwin Sanghi was awarded the festival’s inaugural JSW Award. Sanghi is known for works such as “The Krishna Key” and “The Selkot Saga.” The award was announced in 2025 to commemorate the 70th birthday of Bhutan’s fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
Upon receiving the award, Sanghi expressed, “Receiving this honor from the Queen is a moment I will cherish forever. Being the first recipient of any award is special in itself. It teaches me humility. It’s great to not just be on a list but to help start one. I love this country, and this is dedicated to them.” His latest novel, “The Ayodhya Alliance,” was published in 2025.
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