Shopkeepers smile as customers say it with silk

21 April, 2008 - With the recent formal appointment of cabinet ministers and members of parliament, the khadar business has seen a boom. The popularity and usage of khadar has reached such a stage that shops in Thimphu have even begun to recycle them.

As you pass by the shops, you see notices pasted on their windows inviting you to purchase khadar at lower prices. A shopkeeper in the heart of town said that second hand khadars were brought to his establishment by folks they knew. “People don’t want to stockpile khadar after receiving them. Maybe it’s becoming a bit of a white elephant once its use is over,” the shopkeeper said.

Due to the recent ministers’ and NC candidates’ felicitations, khadar sales went through the roof. Dorji Gyeltshen tshongkhang alone was able to sell around 500-600 pieces of within a week. Other khadar shops like Sangay Bidha tshongkhang and Sephup Gyeltshen tshongkhang sold around 300-400 pieces in a day. Normally, daily khadar sales range from 30 to 50. Sales are expected to peak again when the MP-elects celebrate their official engagement in politics soon.

Originally, khadar was imported into Bhutan from three different places. Kalimpong in India is one hotspot for Bhutanese buyers. Nepal is another. “The best ones come from Tibet,” said Sangay, 65, a shop-owner. “Haap suppliers actually used to get them for us but, due to the ongoing Tibetan problem, there are no more supplies from Tibet,” he said.

5% BST is imposed, as with other plain garments, when khadar is brought into the country. Depending on the quality of the product, prices range from Nu 40 at bottom to Nu 150 at best. Khadar made of genuine silk is highly prized and priced as compared to those of inferior quality silk. There are two kinds of khadar available: plain ones, used especially at cremations and the ones with flowers for other special events.

In the early 60s, Bhutanese used a white piece of cloth at conferences of local leaders. Next came the ‘samba khadar’, a transparent piece; then the ‘Ashi khadar’ and, for the last 25-30 years, the ‘Tashidelek khadar’ from Kalimpong and ‘Nima delek khadar’ from Tibet has ruled the Bhutanese market, according to Sangay.

Khadar has evolved to become an indispensable and ceremonious element in the Bhutanese tradition. It is used at every important event. As a token of expression, it is used to wish and greet one other. “The white colour of khadar symbolizes the immaculate sense and is an act of faith. Khadar is an offering of a clean and compassionate mind, with devotion and love,” says Chogyal Dendup of Kuensel.