Thimphu, Bhutan — Bhutanese singer Thukten Nyendra, popularly known as Nyendra, has achieved a major milestone in his music career after winning the inaugural Rhythm of Bhutan competition on August 11, 2026. His victory has earned him the opportunity to represent Bhutan at the Eurovision Song Contest Asia in Bangkok, Thailand, in November.
Nyendra won the competition with his original song “Lhayi Semo,” meaning “The Angel.” The competition brought together five finalists, who performed their original songs to compete for the chance to represent the country on an international stage.
Speaking about his victory, Nyendra expressed his happiness and said, “I feel great. I feel really happy. I’m at a loss for words. This means the entire world to me.” His win marks an important moment not only for him but also for Bhutan’s growing music industry.
Nyendra’s journey in music began when he was just a child. He started singing and playing the guitar at around four years old. However, he began taking music seriously at the age of 19, when he moved to Thimphu to continue his studies while pursuing his passion.
“I came here to study as well as pursue music. But studying was just like an escape so that I could do music,” he said while talking about his journey.
Despite his passion, the road to success was not always easy. Nyendra struggled with self-doubt and insecurities about his appearance, the way he spoke and how he presented himself in public. He openly admitted, “I’m very, very insecure about myself, the way I look, the way I present myself, the way I talk, every little thing about me.”
His family also had concerns about his future in music because of the limited opportunities available in Bhutan’s music industry. However, Nyendra did not give up on his dream. Instead, he continued writing songs and working on his music.
For Nyendra, songwriting became a way to express feelings that he found difficult to share with others. He explained, “That’s when I started writing things down.” Over time, he developed his skills as a songwriter and music producer and worked on a nine-song album titled Let Me Tell You a Story.
Winning Rhythm of Bhutan is only the beginning of another challenge for the young singer. He will now prepare to perform before an international audience and introduce Bhutanese music to people from different countries.
As he gets ready for the competition in Bangkok, Nyendra’s journey shows how determination and dedication can help a person overcome personal struggles and pursue their dreams. His success may also inspire other young Bhutanese artists to believe in their talents and continue working towards their goals.
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