Kushuthara: Pattern Of Love

Kushuthara: Pattern of Love is a 2017 romantic drama film set in the breath-taking and stunning landscape of Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. The intriguing movie blends traditional Bhutanese culture with a universal theme - a tale of transcendent love that defies time and space. The film brings together Bhutanese actors, Karma Chedon and Bumpa Dorji, along with British actor, Emrhys Cooper, who is the first Western actor to play a lead role in a Bhutanese production.

The narrative is centered around Charlie (Emrhys Cooper), a charming and charismatic photojournalist hailing from the West, who on his journey to this remote part of the Himalayas, gets spellbound by the untouched beauty of Bhutan. The serene environment, the enchanting aura, and the simplistic lifestyle of the people around him evoke emotions and feelings within Charlie that he had long since forgotten living in the fast-paced life of the west.

Upon his arrival, Charlie crosses paths with Choden (Karma Chedon), a beautiful and ethereal Bhutanese woman. Her divine beauty and enigmatic presence stir unfamiliar feelings within Charlie, as though he's known her in another lifetime. Choden, whose name symbolizes the ‘Manifestation of Light,’ is apparently a reincarnation of a local deity and a skillful weaver who chants while weaving to embed each pattern with a distinctive story. Charmed by her skill and enchanted by her character, Charlie feels an inevitable pull towards Choden.

Under the backdrop of weavings and the mystical culture of Bhutan, Kushuthara (which translates to ‘Kushu-patterns’; Thara-Torch that lightens up the dark) unravels a deep-seated love story that transcends the barriers of time. Choden’s masterful weaving of patterns, her stories, and Charlie's growing fascination with her add layers to the film's narrative, providing a deep insight into Bhutan's unique culture along with the unfolding romance. The film also delves into the complexity of Bhutanese folklore, along with exploring themes of karma, destiny, reincarnation, and the concept of 'tsewa' (roughly translated as love).

Bumpa Dorji, who plays the role of Ap Dochu, adds another layer of complexity to the film. As it progresses, a love triangle between Charlie, Choden, and Dochu intensifies, revealing long-hidden secrets and questioning the doctrine of karma and reincarnation. These entwined relationships and the nuanced depiction of love deepen the plot, pushing the characters to confront their past while trying to understand their intertwined present.

The film is directed by Karma Deki, Bhutan’s leading female director, who brilliantly blends the visual grandeur of the picturesque Bhutanese landscapes with a soul-stirring narrative of love, fate, and sacrifice. The exquisite cinematography deserves a special mention, capturing the awe-inspiring beauty of Bhutan that further enhaces the overall ambiance of the film. The original score complements and enhances this immersive journey into a mystical world where the lines between the past and present blur.

Kushuthara: Pattern of Love is much more than a love story. It's a delve into Bhutan's rich cultural heritage, folklore, and philosophical approach to life and love. The film provides a unique cinematic experience by successfully amalgamating Bhutanese storytelling traditions with a universally appealing love story - offering a profound message of love, karma, spiritual awakening, and an exploration of human connection that transcends time and reality. It is indeed a different take on love, one that combines worldly feelings with a spiritual consciousness.

For those viewers unfamiliar with Bhutanese culture, Kushuthara: Pattern of Love is a charming, mystical love story that gently unfolds Bhutan's way of life, spiritual philosophies, and rich textile heritage. It simultaneously serves as a metaphorical loom on which feelings of love, regret, happiness, sorrow, and destiny intricately interweave to replicate the country's beautiful, multi-coloured Kushu-patterns.