Bhutan steps into the global vocal arena with Indian maestro Thomson Andrews

Team L&M

A quiet revolution in Bhutan’s music scene just found its voice. For the first time in the country’s history, professional singers received formal Western vocal training, thanks to an eight-day workshop led by Indian vocal expert and global performer Thomson Andrews.

Hosted by Bhutan’s Department of Media, Creative Industry and Intellectual Property (DoMCIIP), the program brought together over 20 seasoned Bhutanese artists in Punakha, marking a pivotal shift from self-taught tradition to structured vocal education.

Thomson Andrews, whose career spans Bollywood blockbusters, Hollywood soundtracks, and global stages was invited under the leadership of Director Sonam Penjor and Bhutanese renowned singer Pema Deki. Their shared vision: to equip Bhutan’s vocalists with the tools and techniques needed to thrive in an increasingly globalized music industry.

From Raw Talent to Refined Technique

Bhutanese singers, long celebrated for their passion and natural flair, explored vocal anatomy, breath control, harmonization, and live performance techniques many for the first time. For artists like Ugyen Panday, the experience was transformative: “We’ve always sung from the heart. Now we understand how to protect and elevate our voices.”

Thomson’s approach blended technical mastery with artistic exploration. Reflecting on the experience, he says, “Bhutanese singers have immense raw talent. Through this program, they now have access to techniques that will allow them to explore new genres, expand their vocal range, and position themselves as world-class performers. This is not just training it is about building confidence, discovering potential, and shaping a creative future for Bhutan’s artists.

A Cultural Bridge Between India and Bhutan

The workshop reflects Bhutan’s broader ambition to strengthen its creative industries and amplify its cultural voice beyond borders. It also signals a growing artistic exchange between India and Bhutan with more collaborative projects already in motion.

As Bhutanese performers step forward with new skills and fresh perspectives, the initiative stands as a testament to what happens when tradition meets technique and when two nations come together to nurture artistic growth.