Anthem History
"Druk tsendhen" (The Thunder Dragon Kingdom) is how Bhutanese also refer to their country. The music is reminiscent of the native style of music in that region. The composer of the anthem was trained in India, becoming that country's first bandmaster. After his return to Bhutan, the Indian prime minister paid a visit to the country, and the anthem was composed for the occasion, at the request of the Bhutanese king. The original tune was based on the folk song "thri nyampa med pa pemai thri" ("The Unchanging Lotus Throne"). An interesting note is that the folk song has choreography that goes along with it, making this possibly the only national anthem to be based on a choreographical work.
Anthem Lyrics
Druk tsendhen
Druk tsendhen koipi gyelkhap na
Loog ye ki tenpa chongwai gyon
Pel mewang ngadhak rinpo chhe
Ku jurmey tenching chhap tsid pel
Chho sangye ten pa goong dho gyel
Bang che kyed nyima shar warr sho.
Anthem Lyrics English
In the Thunder Dragon Kingdom, where cypresses grow
Refuge of the glorious monastic and civil traditions,
The King od Druk, precious sovereign,
His being is eternal, his reign prosperous
The enlightenment teachings thrive and flourish
May the people shine like the sun of peace and happiness!