Two Writers Unveil Bhutan's Soul in Multi-Genre Book

Two acclaimed South Asian writers, Ravi Shankar and Sudeep Sen, have collaborated on a groundbreaking multi-genre book titled Bhutan, published by Drunken Boat / Fortunate Traveller Press. This luminous work defies easy categorization, blending travelogue, lyric meditation, and photographic essay to explore the Himalayan kingdom often called the world's last Shangri-La. Shankar, author of 18 books including the memoir Correctional and a Pushcart Prize winner, brings sharp, exploratory prose that approaches Bhutan's claim of measuring prosperity through Gross National Happiness with wit, analytical rigor, and genuine wonder. He traces the country's modernizing monarchy, Buddhist heritage, and the complicated textures beneath the glossy surface of official narrative. Sen, an internationally acclaimed poet and photographer with over 25 books, contributes spare, musical poetry and evocative photography that capture prayer flags, monasteries, and mountain light with lyric precision. Together, they create a two-voiced portrait of a country at the crossroads of tradition and transformation, offering a literary reckoning with place, beauty, and the stories nations tell about themselves.

The book has garnered praise from notable figures, including actress Shabana Azmi, who calls it "a unique and personal multi-genre book," and Dasho Kinley Dorji, who describes it as "an elegant treasure trove." Diane Mehta highlights the interplay between Shankar's sceptical commentary and Sen's delicate poetry, while Amit Majmudar praises the "sheen of eudemonic delight" that adheres to the book. Bhutan is available on Amazon, and review copies or interviews can be requested via email. This collaboration between two distinguished authors—both known for their contributions to literature and the arts—offers a fresh, nuanced perspective on a country that has long captured the global imagination.