Legendary folklore of Pemai Tshewang Tashi — Deduced from the movie (Brief and succinct)
Note: Dear readers, in this article, I haven’t specifically mentioned the names of Pemai Tshewang Tashi’s mother, his wife, and some other names of his war comrades. Moreover, I may not be catering you the exact information but I beg your pardon. In addition, please kindly bear with my grammatical errors and correct me if possible.
Until now, I have heard about this iconic figure in the history of Bhutan and I have seen as well as listened to the song attributed to this legendary being but I haven’t had much detailed information on Pemai Tshewang Tashi’s life story. Today, I had great opportunity to discover information on this legendary being as the movie was filmed in our college. I would like to acknowledge the memebers of IBEST studio for coming up with such an amazing film. By watching this film, I was able to get a good but not very comprehensive information on this legendary story of Pemai Tshewang Tashi. I will share as much as I have grasped from this heart triggering film.
Pemai Tshewang Tashi was born in one of the eight districts (Shar Da gay) of the western Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag. Since from his juvenile days, he was being entrusted by his mother to serve as a servant for the mighty lord, the wangdue phodrang dzongpoen, Angdruk Nyim. After being served as a servant for many years, Pemai Tshewang Tashi finally rose up to the position of Zimpoen for his Lord. Those days, there used to have lots of conflicts and strife within the western and as in whole, the country itself was going through such problems. In that way, wars were being fought frequently between various groups and rivalries. As a zimpoen, he was a prolific warrior and an exalted champion who fought as many battles within the western region. One day, after having won one of the major battles in the west, he came to hear wonderful news about the birth of his son. He and his troops (those days, they were referred to as the boe garps) therefore, were immensely rejoiced after having hearkened the news. Following the conquest over one of the battles, he and his boe garps recessed and there, Pemai Tshewang Tashi visited his mother, sister, daughter, wife and his newly blossomed son.
He spent a great deal of time with his family until his Lord Angdruk Nyim received news from the Eastern Trongsa. We all have some idea about the powerful Trongsa poenlop Jigme Namgyal granting his post to Dungkar Gyaltshen. While on the other hand, Jakar Dzongpoen Pema Tenzin was disgruntled about not having gained the post of Trongsa Poenlop. Therefore, there was an established animosity between these two post holders. Trongsa poenlop Dungkar Gyaltshen therefore requested the help and military support from his close ally, the Wangdue Phodrang Dzongpoen, Angdruk Nyim. For this reason, Angdruk Nyim couldn’t do a lot more than sending his troops in favor of the Trongsa Poenlop to fight against his enemy, Pema Tenzin and his armies. While doing the favor, Dagana Zimpoen and Pemai Tshewang Tashi along with two more prolific warriors were called upon by Angdruk Nyim to his place in Wangdue Phodrang Dzong. They consulted astrologer of the Dzong to select one among them to lead troops to the battle. Assume it to be fortunate or unfortunate, Pemai Tshewang Tashi was selected for leading the troops. The Dzongpoen mandated him to get prepared for the war.
Back at home, his mother got prepared to go for a retreat along with his sister. By then, his son has grew up a lot more than before and he taught some basic skills and techniques of handling swords and other techniques. He knew that he has got very limited amount of time for him to go into the war and therefore, he spent few days with his wife and two children. Unlike before, he had strange dreams amid the night and upon hearing the news that he has to go into the war, his wife got really concerned and anxious. He consoled his wife even though he himself was very much worried about the impending war. With the war stepping in closer and closer, he and his comrades offered their deepest prayers to the guardian deities inside the abode of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong. Finally, he bade farewell to his wife and marched on towards east with Dagana Zimpoen, two other prolific warriors, and his troops. Along the way, while he was ridden on his horse (Dungkar Mathra), his horse strangely toppled him down. Despite this peculiarity, he consoled his troops not to worry and to proceed forth. Before reaching Trongsa, and he and his troops recessed for a night. With respect to an inevitable war, he couldn’t sleep properly that night and he had that ominous dream once again and this time, he found himself surrounded by enormous blood sheds and skeletons. The following morning, he shared his dreams to his ally, the Dagana zimpoen and he comforted him to worry not.
On the way, Pemai Tshewang Tashi and his comrades met an astrologer. They consulted the astrologer to show the right way in order not to get ambushed by the armies of Jakar Dzongpoen. Upon reaching Trongsa, Dungkar Gyeltshen acknowledged them for having turned up as requested. The poenlop then ordered them to march towards the Mangde valley which he thought would be the best way to fight against the Pema Tenzin’s men. Upon their arrival on the battle ground, the troops began to brace up and prepare for the approaching Pema Tenzin’s armies. Within short period of time, Pema Tenzin and his men came from the other side screaming and shouting vigorously. The war began and intensified with many soldiers of Pema Tenzin being slayed but due to the huge size and strength in the Jakar Dzongpoen’s side, they weren’t able to surmount their ferocity. Therefore, many troop members of Pemai Tshewang Tashi got killed. Moreover, his friend, the Dagana Zimpoen unfortunately passed away during the war. Finally, only two of the troops along with Pemai Tshewang Tashi thrived on the field. However, one of them was shot dead on the spot. Pemai Tshewang Tashi and the remaining comrade decided to run away from the innumerable forces on the Jakar Dzongpoen’s side.
While running away, two of them were followed by the armies of Pema Tenzin and on their way, Pemai Tshewang Tashi dismounted from his horse. He sent his comrade to inform his Lord and his family members that he and his troops have fought as much as they could but owing to an innumerable forces on the Pema Tenzin’s side, they weren’t able to return back from the battle field. Pemai Tshewang Tashi then ran away on foot from the Jakar Dzongpoen’s men but then he headed towards a wrong direction. He reached atop a cliff and from that horrid height, he could see deep down, the Mangde River. The armies drew closer to him and told him to join Jakar Dzongpoen but he said “I am the zimpoen of my Lord Angdruk Nyim. Being a zimpoen, I was entrusted to against your Dzongpoen. At any cost, I can’t afford to breach fidelity towards my Lord”. Since there was no way that he could escape from the Pema Tenzin’s army, he jumped from the cliff and sacrificed his own life. Before jumping, he prayed to be reborn again in the village of Aum Kazhi Zangmo and reunite once again with his family in the forthcoming life.
His story was very emotional and by hearing the words from his ballad, you will be able to comprehend some of it. By the way, I couldn’t post the ballad out here. In fact, I couldn’t get his ballad.
Thank you and have a nice reading😀😄😊
