Jigme Drukpa

Jigme Drukpa is a renowned Bhutanese musician and singer of traditional folk songs, born in 1969 in the small village of Wongchelo, in Pemagatshel, eastern Bhutan. He studied folk music at Rauland Academy and ethno-musicology at Grieg Academy in Norway, becoming Bhutan's first ethno-musicologist upon his return in 1999. In 2017, he completed a master's degree in music therapy. Drukpa is notable for producing Bhutan's first mass music release in 1989 and for being the first Bhutanese to digitally record music in 1998. He has performed traditional folk music in over 200 cities across 34 countries since 1993, specializing in the complex style of Bhutanese folk music known as *zhungdra*.

Drukpa's contributions extend beyond music; he founded the Ayang music school, dedicated to developing musical capacities among Bhutanese people. He has also acted in films like *Travellers & Magicians* and *Hema Hema: Sing Me a Song While I Wait*, both directed by Khyentse Norbu. Drukpa's music often reflects his deep connection to traditional Bhutanese culture, and he has been recognized as an outstanding musician, named Loden Entrepreneur of the Year in 2013. His recent releases include titles like *Bhutan Himalaya* and *Endless Songs from Bhutan*.

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