Mandala

Voices for the Himalayan
Nor’s Mandala is a new platform exploring the visual cultures of South Asia — from the art of India to the living Himalayan traditions of Bhutan, Nepal, and Tibet. A companion to Nor’s Nusantara, it extends the journey from the seas to the mountains, from maritime Southeast Asia to the cultural highlands of the Subcontinent.

Through podcasts and filmmaking, Nor’s Mandala takes a distinctive approach to art — treating it as a living philosophy, a lens through which to contemplate how humanity has long sought order, meaning, and compassion in a fractured world. The series presents the visual cultures of South Asia such as the Himalayan cultural sphere, not as distant or esoteric relics, but as living systems of thought — visual theologies that continue to offer new ways of seeing, being, and belonging.

Founders of Nor's Mandala, Nor Wang and Ong Beng Wee are spearheading a new wave of cultural exchange between Singapore and Bhutan, following a prestigious invitation to attend the 70th Birthday celebrations of His Majesty the Fourth King of Bhutan on the occasion of Bhutan’s inaugural Global Peace Prayer Festival in November 2025. Nor's Mandala led a curated delegation of senior international journalists, creatives, and filmmakers on the visit. The project aims to deepen the cultural understanding of Bhutan that resulted in a series of news articles, podcasts on Nor’s Mandala platform and a new art film. A cornerstone of the visit was a private audience with His Excellency, the Prime Minister of Bhutan. The interview focused on the cultural significance of Bhutan’s first Global Peace Prayer Festival that shed light on the power of cultural resilience and diplomacy in action, offering a vital model for a world struggling with conflict and division. It also explored Singapore and Bhutan relations such as the Gelephu Mindfulness City described as a “US$100 billion plan to build ‘happy’ Singapore-inspired economic hub”

BHUTAN'S US$100 BILLION PLAN WITH NOR WANG & PRIME MINISTER TSHERING TOBGAY

In this launch episode, Inside Bhutan’s US$100 billion plan to build ‘happy’ Singapore-inspired economic hub. Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay reveals the masterplan for the Gelephu Mindfulness City a massive $100 billion development set to transform Bhutan into a global economic hub. We discuss the 'One Country, Two Systems' model, the new currency, and how they plan to fund this futuristic vision. Nor Wang led a delegation of Singaporean journalists and film maker for a exclusive private audience with His Excellency Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay. Their discussion focused on culture and the landmark Gelephu Mindfulness City project.

THE YOGA OF NIGUMA & GLOBAL PEACE IN BHUTAN WITH NOR WANG & H.E KALU RINPOCHE

In this episode of the Nor’s Mandala podcast, we sit down with Kalu Rinpoche at the Global Peace Prayer Festival in Bhutan. Known as the "Millennial Rinpoche," he shares his unique perspective on bridging ancient Tibetan Buddhist traditions with a modern, global audience. We dive deep into his new book, The Yoga of Niguma, exploring the "divine feminine" lineage of Niguma—the elder sister of Naropa—and how these ancient physical practices can help address contemporary struggles like anxiety, loneliness, and emotional health.

VISUALISING PEACE WITH NOR WANG & CHOTEN DORJI

In this episode of Nor’s Mandala, we are honored to speak with Venerable Choten Dorji, Secretary of Administration and Development Affairs for the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan. Recorded during the first-ever Global Peace Prayer Festival in Bhutan, we explore the profound intersection of Bhutanese art, sacred architecture, and Buddhist ritual. As the world faces increasing division, Bhutan’s "non-sectarian" approach brings together spiritual masters from various traditions—Mahayana, Vajrayana, and beyond—to create a collective force for universal peace and happiness.

DRA GYAK PUM JOM: The Sound of Prayers – Official Teaser Trailer

DRA GYAK PUM JOM: The Sound of Prayers [2026] A Collaborative Vision by Choy Ka Fai and Nor’s Mandal captured in the Kingdom of Bhutan for its first Global Peace Prayer Moving beyond traditional boundaries of ethnographic documentation, The Sound of Prayers documents ancient choreography of Cham Dance Ritual, re-read through the lens of contemporary visual anthropology. 

The film serves as an initiation into four specific notations of Cham ritual dance that govern the tantric psyche; 

• DRA: The "enemy inside us"

• GYAK: The "distraction in prayers"

• PUM: The "combination" of inner enemy and distraction 

• JOM: The "intention to destroy"

Light of Kailash Lecture 21 | Divine Feminine in Art: Searching for Shakti in India and Bhutan

The portrayal of feminine power in sacred art has long shaped cultural attitudes toward women and worship. Goddesses have a powerful presence in our collective consciousness, influencing various aspects of the human experience. In exploring female spiritual forces and their significance in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, this talk inspired by Nor Wang’s pilgrimage in India and Bhutan, will examine the representations of Shakti – power, or the cosmic energy of creation – that is intimately related to femininity. She refers to key sacred sites and art to highlight contrasts and commonalities as ways of thinking about female autonomy and agency. The talk will highlight key female figures in history, including Yeshe Tsogyal (Tibet) and Mandarava (India), two extraordinary Vajrayana spiritual leaders, alongside Princess Wencheng (China), who played an important role promoting cross-cultural understanding in the region. The discussion aims to emphasise the interaction between socio-political, spiritual, and cultural forces, highlighting how these dimensions shaped cross-cultural artistic production in the Himalayas.

Tantric Buddhist Practices, Principles and Art [Bhutan Edition] By Dr Ian Baker and Nor Wang

“Tantric Buddhist Practices, Principles, & Art” inspired by my pilgrimage to the Five Wisdom Dakinis in Bhutan led by Dr Ian Baker and Tiffani Gyatso. 

In this conversation, we reflect on the insights of our journey and dive into key concepts & themes that underlie Tantric Buddhist art & philosophy. From the lush valleys of Paro to the sacred heartland of Bumthang, our exploration reveals not only the rich cultural & religious history of Bhutan but also offers a path to reconnect with our own innate wisdom. 

Whether you are new to Tantric Buddhism or on your contemplative path, this dialogue is a window into ancient knowledge that continue to resonate today. Tune in now to hear about the power of art that connects us to a deeper understanding of our true nature.

Searching for Shakti in Art

Searching for Shakti in Art: An Ancient Fortress, Tantric Temples & Museums [India Edition] by Nor Wang. 

Organised by ​​⁠​⁠​⁠‪@FriendsoftheMuseumsSG‬ Hosted ​⁠​⁠​⁠‪@AsianCivilisationsMuseum‬ (ACM)

Expanding on my development work at ACM my talk inspired by the museum’s sacred art collection follows my journey through India in the quest for Shakti. The divine feminine manifested in goddesses who embody a tantric tension of the creative & the destructive.

Journey with me from central to north-east India to unravel Shakti art forms at Kalinjar military fort, ancient temples of Khajuraho & Kamakhya, the National Museum in New Delhi & the Indian Museum Kolkata. 

My talk discusses the artistic significance of these ancient goddesses in culture & history, that still resonates strongly with cultural/creative practitioners today advocating feminine agency.