THE CLASH OF TRADITION AND MODERNITY IN KUNZANG CHODEN'S CIRCLE OF KARMA

Abstract

Kunzang Choden's influential novel Circle of Karma Published in 2005, this work is a seminal contribution to Bhutanese literature, providing a deep examination of the conflict between tradition and modernity in Bhutan's swiftly evolving society. Choden's work, as the inaugural English-language novel by a Bhutanese woman, offers a distinctive viewpoint on the cultural transformations taking place in Bhutan during the late 20th century. The story explores the complications of navigating traditional Bhutanese society through its protagonist, Tsomo, while battling the growing forces of modernization. Keywords: Bhutanese literature, women's empowerment, cultural transition, Buddhism, modernization, gender roles, pilgrimage, self-discovery