SKU: 90332424428

Neylu village, Laya, 2004

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Description

Neylu village, Laya, 2004In a misguided attempt to legislate a unified national culture in the wake of the Nepali uprising, Bhutan's government instituted the Driglam Namzha policy to guide public dress and architecture. In a country where the elevation ranges from 300 feet to 25,000 feet and encompasses a wide variety of climates, cultures, and local materials, this "unifying" policy was a disaster and often had the opposite effect of creating a "nationwide family." Bhutan's

In a misguided attempt to legislate a unified national culture in the wake of the Nepali uprising, Bhutan's government instituted the Driglam Namzha policy to guide public dress and architecture. In a country where the elevation ranges from 300-feet to 25,000-feet and encompasses a wide variety of climates, cultures, and local materials, this "unifying" policy was a disaster and often had the opposite effect of creating a "nationwide family."

Bhutan's traditional Drukpa dress is fashionably elegant as well as practical in the Drukpa heartland. However, it is hot and cumbersome in the sweltering lowlands and did not go well with the Lhotshampa, used to Nepali clothes. The urban youth preferred Western fashion and ignored the government.

The dress code is enforced in offices and schools. It is accepted by most Bhutanese as attractive and stylish for formal occasions. But for the most part, the policy is disregarded, and the government turns a blind eye.

Bhutanese village architecture evolved by necessity. Geography dictated building structure, rooflines, and materials. Sun, wind, water, economics, and local gods, decreed building placement, orientation, density, and village cluster design.

 

Now building codes demand nationwide uniformity. New structures appear to be traditional—modeled on the enlightened form and expression of the dzongs and the vernacular wisdom of the villages—but often lack the harmony and balance of village houses. Traditional details, built with wood, earth, and stone, are now being imitated in concrete and steel, and shapes have shifted. The demands of modern materials distort the original architecture's beauty, freezing the function of many details into meaningless artifice and ignoring the wisdom of "form follows function." The result is concrete boxes with gingerbread "Bhutanese" icing, with no consideration for the elements—hot in the summer, cold in the winter.

The young are moving from the villages in droves, creating demand for urban housing. Bhutan's first attempts at urban planning are end-to-end faux Bhutanese concrete buildings, tight right-angled grids with no provisions for sidewalks, trees, planters, gardens, or much else that is close to the Bhutanese heart. The elegance expressed in Bhutan's dzongs and villages can undoubtedly be achieved with modern materials. However, a Bhutanese façade over an Indo-Western form is not the way.

From BHUTAN: Hidden Lands of Happiness, by John Wehrheim (Serindia 2011)

PHOTO PRINTS
Prints are on Hahnemuhle heavyweight (315 gsm) 100% archival cotton “Photo Rag Baryta” paper, using archival inks and archival spray coating. They have a 200-year life expectancy before any deterioration of the print will be observed when stored, handled, and displayed under archival conditions.

CANVAS PRINTS
What is often called “Gallery Wrap Canvas” is a fine art inkjet (Giclee) print on canvas, with printed edges to wrap around a wooden stretcher frame, like a painting. With canvas prints, your print image is still the same size, but given a "wrap effect" around the edges to account for the thickness of the stretcher. Canvas can be rolled and shipped with no effect to the print. Your local framing shop should be able to mount the canvas to stretchers at a fraction of the cost of traditional framing, making for an overall more economical way to get fine art on your wall. The canvas is printed to wrap around a 1-inch stretcher (1.5 inches on larger sizes). Specifications will be provided with your order. Feel free to contact us if you need guidance with your canvas order.

John prints, titles, dates, and signs all of his photos.

CUSTOM ORDERS: For custom orders of prints shipped flat, framed, or as stretched canvas, contact [email protected].

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SKU: 90332424428

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Nosey Nancy
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
Perfect Comfort
The most beautiful COOLING COMFORTER I have in my home & I have at least 10! ! Crisp & clean look , a beautiful pink & beautifully made! The kind of comfort you want on a gentle warm breezy day! I am GA GA OVER THIS & Would buy again in a heartbeat 💓!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2026
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LeAnn Y.
New York, US
★★★★★ 4
Very thin
Color: White, Size: King (104''x90'')
This is really cute but just beware it’s super super thin. The fabric is soft and it feel breathable but it’s very light and thin
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Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2026
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Glenda Hoskins
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 5
Lightweight and cozy
Light and comfortable comforter perfect for summer time. Lavender color is lovely and the pattern of the fabric creates a nice texture.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2026
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Honk 4 ken
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Comfy for my honey
This is the most prettiest and most comfortable blanket.I've ever bought.I bought the king size cause I need more blanket on my queen's size.It keeps me cool and warm at the same time.Best.Money can buy
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Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2026
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Ken
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 5
Great pillow that helped relieve my neck pain!
This is probably one of the best, if not the best pillow I have ever used. I have periodically had a stiff neck in the mornings and the past 2 months it was constant. I got these pillows about a week ago and the first night that I tried it, my stiff neck was significantly less in the morning. I tried it for another 4 days and each day my neck felt better. I then visited my sister and used the pillow they had and the next morning my neck had pain again. The following night when I was back home, I used this pillow again and in the morning my neck pain was gone. I was completely surprised that this pillow worked for me, as I have tried many other pillows over the years. My wife, who also has neck pains, said that this pillow also helped her. The retail price is on the expensive side, but to me it is worth it. It comes with 2 queen size pillows that easily fit queen size pillow cases. It also comes with its own zippered cover that is made of a very soft microfiber type of material. The pillows are made of memory foam with portions of it more firm than others so that it can support your neck and head correctly. Depending on how you sleep, the pillow can be flipped or turned to match your sleeping style. I tend to sleep on my back and use the side that cradles your head. It is indicated by the blue portion of the pillow that I show in the pictures. The part that supports my neck is a little stiffer than where my head rests. Not sure if this works for everyone, but for me it is the best pillow I have ever tried, without a doubt!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2026

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