Her Majesty the Queen, Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, has launched a book, 'Bhutan: Through the lens of the King' in New Delhi, culminating Their Majesties' nine-day state visit to India. Published by Roli publications based in New Delhi, the coffee-table book has 176 pages of pictures of Bhutan's crystal clear lakes, ancient monuments, wildlife, flora and fauna, and everyday life, including rural Bhutan. Most of the photographs in the book were taken by His Majesty the King. The first section contains photographs of monarchs, from the first to the fourth Druk Gyalpo, and ends with a picture of Her Majesty Ashi Jetsun Pema.

Old age, youth, nature and tradition are the themes in the more than 160 photographs taken by His Majesty, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, published in a coffee table book titled 'Bhutan: Through the Lens of the King'.

The photographs lead one through precarious mountain trails, the warm hearth of a rural home, to the grandeur of lofty peaks, and encompasses the old and the new, and emerging ways of life in Bhutan.

The photographs were taken on the many travels His Majesty made, on foot, to remote villages to meet and interact with people.The smiling and relaxed demeanour of the portraits of men, women and children exhibit a genuine warmth and closeness with the photographer.

The book reveals His Majesty's keeness to meet the people, see the country, and understand and absorb what it has to offer, plus an enthusiasm for photography.

The book also has some rare photographs, not taken by His Majesty, of the first, second and third kings, and a picture of the fourth Druk Gyalpo and the royal family.

Dedicated to the people, the book has an introduction by Pavan K Varma, ambasssador of India to Bhutan, who has authored more than a dozen books, and a write up 'Mind And Soul' by Malvika Singh, a journalist and author.

Contributed by Rinzin Wangchuk, KUENSEL, Bhutan's National Newspaper, October 2011

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Nobgang Birthplace of the four Queens Bhutan's Royal Family