From the moment the plane lands in full view of the mountains and monastic fortresses, one experiences a timeless sense of entering into a remote and magical universe─the tiny kingdom of Bhutan, nestled in the Buddhist Himalayas.

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With descriptions of Bhutan’s scenic geography, drama-filled history, politics, religion, and perspectives on life, Footfalls from the Land of Happiness provides layers of contextual background for understanding this dance-suffused culture.

Karen Greenspan accompanies the reader to specific Bhutanese festivals for a close-up view of the dances and rituals as well as interviews with dance masters, Buddhist experts, and dance practitioners from both monastic and lay communities. The unfolding narrative flows with vivid dance prose, content-rich sidebars, and a multitude of color-drenched dance photographs giving the fullest experience of the omnipresent culture of dance in Bhutan.