The evening was alive with the vibrant sounds of ukuleles and melodies shared by both students and visiting musicians, filling the venue with an atmosphere of joy and discovery.
In the heart of Thimphu on November 3, a unique cultural exchange unfolded as Bhutan welcomed the World Ukulele Programme, an initiative from Hawaii aimed at bridging cultures through the universal language of music.
Organised by the Mohala Hou Foundation with the support of Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Dr Tom Vendetti (PhD), the programme brought with it not only ukuleles but also a mission to inspire young Bhutanese with the gift of music. Her Royal Highness, Ashi Kezang Choden Wangchuck graced the event.
The World Ukulele Programme has made impactful stops across Asia, with previous workshops held in Cambodia and Sikkim.
This year, the journey has continued to Bhutan, where students and teachers at the G Music Training Institute are participating in an immersive three-day programme.
Under the guidance of Ukulele instructors from Hawaii, the children received hands-on training that transcends technical skills, inviting them to interpret and adapt their new musical knowledge to Bhutanese cultural expressions.
Dr Tom Vendetti said that the idea for the World Ukulele Programme started when he was the founder and director of the Angkor Wat International Film Festival in Cambodia.
“I had invited some friends of mine, who are very famous Hawaiian musicians. They saw the poverty in the country at the time and thought how wonderful it would be to teach the young children the Ukulele to bring joy in their life,” Vendetti said.
He added that the idea was not to teach the children Hawaiian music, but rather to let the children to learn to use the Ukulele to learn their own cultural songs.
“It was so successful that we ended up making it the World Ukulele Programme as a result of that. After that, we went to Sikkim in India and it was the same thing. It was very gratifying,” Vendetti said.
He added that they had been planning to come to Bhutan for the last five years. However, owing to the pandemic, it was not possible.
The programme in Bhutan kicked off with 33 Bhutanese students and six teachers joining the visiting faculty for an intensive and joyful exchange of musical ideas.
November 1 to November 3 saw these young musicians honing their ukulele skills under the watchful eyes of dedicated instructors, including Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Master Jeff Peterson, Canadian composer and vocalist Ann Mortifee, and other gifted musicians like Tom Lunneberg, Jeff Cook, and Kevin Horan.
The classes were more than just lessons in musical technique; they served as bridges to a broader cultural understanding, emphasising how music can transcend geographical borders and personal backgrounds.
Adding to the evening’s richness was the world premiere of Jeff Peterson’s film, Concerto for Slack Key Guitar and Orchestra – Malama ‘Aina, directed by Dr Tom Vendetti. The film, dedicated to Hawaii’s renowned volcanoes Haleakala, Kilauea, and Mauna Loa, brought a visual and auditory experience that encapsulated the essence of Hawaiian culture.
It marked the first concert ever composed for slack key guitar, captivating the audience with its homage to Hawaii’s natural beauty and the importance of environmental stewardship. This cinematic piece was more than just a performance; it was a cultural statement, reinforcing the interconnectedness of art, nature, and cultural heritage.
The evening also included a special moment of recognition for Bhutanese talents who had previously contributed to another of Dr Vendetti’s award-winning works.
Local musicians Jigme Drukpa and Thinley Choden were honoured with Emmy Award-winning plaques for their roles in Bhutan – Taking The Middle Path to Happiness, a documentary that captured Bhutan’s unique approach to well-being and its commitment to cultural preservation.
Dr Tom Vendetti shared that the film, which was shot in 2005, focused on Gross National Happiness (GNH). He shared that western countries like the United States knew very little of Bhutan at the time.
“I was so impressed with the government’s initiative for GNH that I wanted to share it with the world. It ended up winning an Emmy Award and it was distributed to over 240 stations in the US and film festivals around the world,” Dr Tom said, adding that his visit at the time was one of the main reasons why he wanted to bring the World Ukulele Programme to Bhutan.
Dr Tom Vendetti said that the work of Jigme Drukpa and Thinley Choden were instrumental in showcasing Bhutan’s values on an international stage, adding that the evening’s tribute served as a reminder of their contributions to Bhutan’s artistic and cultural legacy.
