Drunken Boat / Fortunate Traveller Press has announced the release of 'Bhutan,' a multi-genre collaboration featuring the poetry and photography of Sudeep Sen and the prose of Ravi Shankar. The book, part travelogue, lyric meditation, and photographic essay, delves into the complexities of Bhutan, a country often idealized as the world's last Shangri-La. For business and technology leaders, this work offers insights into how a nation balances tradition with modernization, a theme increasingly relevant in a globalized economy.
The book is structured as a two-voiced narrative. Shankar's prose approaches Bhutan's claim of being the happiest country on Earth—measured by Gross National Happiness rather than GDP—with analytical rigor and wit. He examines the country's modernizing monarchy, Buddhist heritage, and the tensions beneath its official narrative. Sen's poetry and photography provide a complementary perspective, focusing on color, texture, and the sacred through spare couplets and images of prayer flags, monasteries, and mountain light. Together, they create a portrait of a nation at the crossroads of tradition and transformation.
The implications for readers, particularly those in business and technology, are significant. Bhutan's model of Gross National Happiness challenges conventional metrics of success and could inspire alternative approaches to corporate culture and sustainability. The book's exploration of modernization amid deep-rooted traditions offers lessons for leaders navigating digital transformation while preserving organizational values. Additionally, the collaboration itself—a blend of poetry, prose, and photography—demonstrates the power of multi-modal storytelling in an era where content is increasingly visual and interdisciplinary.
Praise for the book highlights its unique perspective. Actress Shabana Azmi calls it 'a unique and personal multi-genre book' that brings alive aspects of Bhutan only true artists can excavate. Dasho Kinley Dorji describes it as 'an elegant treasure trove' capturing what is special about the country. Diane Mehta notes that 'Shankar's wit and his sceptical commentary is a foil for Sen's delicate musical poetry,' while Amit Majmudar appreciates the 'sheen of eudemonic delight and heightened astonished awareness.'
Ravi Shankar is the author of 18 books, including the memoir 'Correctional,' and teaches at Tufts University. He is founding editor-in-chief of Drunken Boat and a Pushcart Prize winner whose work has appeared in The Paris Review and The New York Times. Sudeep Sen, author of over 25 books, is an internationally acclaimed poet and photographer. His work has been featured in The Times Literary Supplement and The Guardian, and he was awarded a senior fellowship by the Government of India for outstanding contributions to culture and literature.
'Bhutan' is published by Drunken Boat / Fortunate Traveller Press, available in trade paperback for $29.95. It is available on Amazon at this link. The book's multi-genre approach and critical examination of Bhutan's societal model make it a valuable resource for leaders interested in the intersection of culture, policy, and innovation.
