Traditional Bhutanese House.

In Terms of Tradition, I must say that Bhutan has the most valued for it architectural design and painting for the house, be it modern huge building or the old tradition building which has been built 100 years ago, the design and architect of the house never changes, it is the government rule that the building of new modern house should have the government approved. Though the house may be built by cement or clay, the exterior looks of windows, and other wood items should be same as the one which is 100 years. This initiative is to preserve the aged old tradition of Bhutan. Most Bhutanese house speaks volumes in terms of the structural and architectural designs and paintings. Painting on Bhutanese houses are not just for its beauty, but have deep meanings associated with people’s beliefs. The painting or any other elements of decoration is a symbol with a religious significance. The symbols include the eight-spooked wheels or yudrong (Swastika) Norbu and other auspicious signs. The paints or the colours that the Bhutanese people use have its own meanings.

The most popularly used colours are the white, yellow, red and green, these colors can be also seen on the prayers flags which are hung and erected. Well one might have a different opinion on the house or the inhabitants and their way of life just from the outside appearance. The themes of the paintings are usually environment and mythical animals. Most Bhutanese hous3e are painted with motifs of flowers and leaves, which signify our reverence to Mother Nature.

The Brightness of the colours depicts the warm hospitality of the house owners towards the guests and visitors. It is said that as soon as the guests are near the house, the rich and bright colors stimulates the senses of the visitors and fill their hearts with joy and happiness. A plain coat of paint on a house is bland and impersonal and does not evoke feelings in a person.

Traditionally, Bhutanese houses are double-storyed. The upper floor is used as living area or chosham while the ground floor would be used for keeping the cattle’s. This unique features has it’s bearings in the belief that while we should keep our cattle with us, our children should be kept with others. (The idea is that the children will learn much from other people)

The upper floor is usually one big room with a partition for a store. This feature is a far sighted for all the Bhutanese people as it bounds the family into one group, promotes togetherness and strengthens the family bonds. This is something that the modern houses don’t have. A Close look at the traditional house reveals lot of projections and depressions, sort of carvings, especially over windows and doors. This carving s takes a lot of time and energy and is expensive.
The world is turning into a global village are an alarming speed. If the people don’t make a conscious and concreted effort, we all will be just another part of the “Village” with no Identity of our own. (Tshering Lham, Class X ‘C’ : Phuntsholing HS School)