Bhutanese Master Artists

Aum Thinlem

Bhutan's most famous female vocalist

Born in the village of Dangla Gyemba in Trongsa, Aum Thinlem closely served the Third King (1952–1972), and later continued as a professional singer as an employee of the Bhutan Broadcasting Service and instructor at the Royal Academy of Performing Arts.

Aup Dawpey

The Nation's patriarch of Drangyen, the iconic Bhutanese lute

Aup Dawpey is from the village of Talo Nubgang in Punakha and remains the foremost authority on Talo's especially rich music traditions. He is the only musician to receive the Thugsey ("son of Bhutan") medal, awarded by the King of Bhutan for outstanding service to his country.

Aum Tshewang Lham

Renowned Vocalist

The late Aum Tshewang Lham was a renowned vocalist from Paro who served the Third King for four years. She was one of a select group of musicians (that also include Aum Thinlem and Aup Dawpey) sent by His Majesty to Calcutta, India in 1968 to record the first album of Bhutanese traditional music.

Aup Tsheten Dorji

Prolific Composer

A Tibetan-born musician who fled to Bhutan in 1960 and served the Third King for over a decade. Aup Tsheten Dorji introduced and popularized many songs from Tibet and also became a prolific composer. Two of his songs commemorate Bhutan's entry into the United Nations in 1971 and the Coronation of the Fifth King in 2008.

Aup Dengo

Esteemed song authority and composer

With a long career in government service, Aup Dengo now leads the private troop Phunsum Drayang, based in Paro, which performs folk and masked dances. The troop provides employment for its youth members and teaches them the value of culture.

Aum Sedy

Keeper of Rare Songs

The only singer who retains perfect knowledge of the Tangsebji version of the zheym, a song dating from the 17th century performed only by women. She learned it from her mother, a prominent singer during the era of the Second King (1926–1952).