Dra-yang: an entertainment business boomed by darkness & my wonder

I wonder how our forefathers would have reacted, had there been a Drayang culture back then. But people of the 21^st century define it as a way of life regardless of the harsh reality and its taking a drastic growth.

During my recent visit to one of the urban areas, I had an opportunity to visit few of such entertainment centres along with my friends

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Room decorated with dim lights, bar at one cozy corner and a mini theater at strategic location in front of which a line of furniture neatly placed and a wall with noise absorption mechanism is how one can visualize if someone is talking about a Drayang. When it comes to theater it is never deprived of its own unique decoration: colorful lightings, noisy sound system and a portrait of Monarchs hanging over the walls along with set of table and chair reserved for MC adjacent to the theater.    

Hall comes to life with music and dances on arrival of costumers with onset of evening hours and goes on till late night. Soon hall get crowded with costumers who come there with various intentions: some come to take pleasure in dances performed by the artists, some to drink and chat and few to exploit the young artists if possible.

Wrapped in tight fitting outfits made from usual Bhutanese formal dress finely touched with modern designers, young artist perform their best to gain more attention of their valued customers. I prefer referring the term “artist” to those girls who perform on the stage to entertain male dominated customers as they are dancers. The more they can please the customers; more sponsorship to perform will be reserved on particular performer’s name. So, I prefer calling   valued customers; because one has to pay not less than Nu. 200 per sponsorship which is shared between owner of the Drayang and a performer. From such a sharing mechanism it is obvious that more the sponsorship, higher the cash for both the parties.

Drinks are served on customers demand but should be mindful that service comes with a cost: a bottle of beer will cost you not less than Nu. 100 but free catering done by those innocent artists struggling to get sponsorship. In most of the Drayang, book and pen will accompany your drinks along with catering girls.  With innocent smile on their highly constructed face, artist will greet you with your drinks; bill and excuse herself to sit next to you for a moment. Then there she goes: flip the pages in her book and with a pen in front of you “Sir would you be kind enough to sponsor me to dance, because tonight I couldn’t get much. Minimum amount you have to pay is Nu. 200 and with that I will perform for you on the stage.” Literally she starts nagging until you accept her proposal of by paying the cash and scribbling your name on sponsorship column on her book. With satisfaction she leaves from your side but at least she never forgets to genuinely thank for sponsorship. At such moment, it is not very uncommon to sight some customers attempting to physically harass those performers helplessly sitting adjacent to them with hope of getting sponsorship.

Meantime, MC will be announcing your name as a sponsor for particular dance and goes a dance with music by artist whom you have sponsored a while ago. Dances are dominantly performed  based on contemporary Bhutanese music but seldom you can also see them performing on bollywood music.

Artist comprise of young girls probably dropout from unprivileged families. From their physical appearance, one can make out that they belong to age gradation of twenties. At times, I suspect even underage girls are employed as an artist in such entertainment centre. Physical appearances seem to be one of the prime criteria to be employed in such business besides of dancing skill.

Twenties can be literally considered as a productive age in Bhutanese society with life expectancy of not more than sixty five years but vulnerable should there be no proper guidance. 

Artist employed in entertainment business falls within such age group, who are practically exposed to scenario beyond their age. Using tobacco and alcohol is not uncommon to witness along with illegal prostitution up to some extent to supplement their little earned cash. Seldom one can hear the cases of artist seeking for abortion to do away with the illegitimate pregnancies occurred from the illicit relationship with their customers or a night stand with strangers under the influence of cash or false promises of providing her a better way of living.  

I wonder:

Where these artists will go and what they will do for decent living once they can no more work in such entertainment business because of their age and declining physical strength to perform a dance till late night?

Are there any schemes which ensure their after retirement benefit?

Are there any rules or organization dedicated for the welfare of those artists?

Why those young groups of artist consider working in Drayang as viable option of livelihood though it’s against their family’s opinion?

Under which category do those artists fall according to Ministry of Labour and Human Resource’s statistics on employment issue?