Dasho Shingkhar Lam

Dasho Shingkhar Lam Kunzang Wangchuk (1928 – 16 October 2014) was a Bhutanese statesman, artist, and religious figure who served as Speaker of the Gyelyong Tshogdu (National Assembly) and Deputy Minister. He is credited with creating the insignia for the Royal Bhutan Army and rewriting the lyrics of Druk Tsendhen, the Bhutanese national anthem. A descendant of the fourteenth-century Buddhist philosopher Longchenpa, he was recognised from childhood as a religious figure and served three decades in Bhutan's government during a period of profound national transformation.^[1]

Early Life and Religious Recognition

Kunzang Wangchuk was born in 1928 in Ura, in the Bumthang district of central Bhutan. He was the eldest son of Shingkhar Lam Koncho Gyaltshen and Pema Tshoki. His family traced its lineage to Longchenpa (1308–1364), the revered Nyingma philosopher-saint and scholar, through fourteen generations. By the age of five, the local community recognised him as the reincarnation of Nyungne Rinpoche, a lama known for his artistic abilities. This recognition led to his early entry into religious education and spiritual training.^[2]

Government Service

At the age of 16, Kunzang Wangchuk entered the court of Jigme Wangchuck, the Second Druk Gyalpo, at Wangdicholing Palace. He filled a vacant court position following his uncle's disappearance, as was customary practice. After the Second King's death, he briefly retired before being called back to serve the Third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. In 1964, he was appointed Secretary to the Third King, and in 1968 he received the honorific title of Dasho in recognition of his service.^[3]

By 1971, Kunzang Wangchuk had risen to the position of Speaker of the Gyelyong Tshogdu and Deputy Minister, placing him at the centre of Bhutan's governance during a critical era of modernisation. He resigned from political office in 1985, having served three consecutive Bhutanese monarchs over the course of his career.^[4]

National Symbols

Dasho Shingkhar Lam made enduring contributions to Bhutan's national identity. He designed the insignia for the Royal Bhutan Army, which remains in use as the military's official emblem. He also rewrote the lyrics of Druk Tsendhen, the national anthem of Bhutan, shaping the words that Bhutanese citizens sing at national ceremonies, school assemblies, and public events. He took particular pride in being, as he described it, "the mastermind behind many national symbols and practices" that emerged during Bhutan's modernisation under the Third King.^[5]

Artistic Legacy

Described as "an inborn artist without formal training," Dasho Shingkhar Lam was a gifted painter and sculptor. He created temple wall paintings, thangkas (Buddhist scroll paintings), and sculptures throughout his life. He was also an accomplished practitioner of cham, the sacred masked dance performed at Bhutanese religious festivals, and continued to participate in festival performances well into his sixties, demonstrating exceptional choreographic mastery. His artistic abilities were seen as connected to his recognition as the reincarnation of Nyungne Rinpoche, who was himself known as an artist.^[6]

Later Life and Death

After retiring from government in 1985, Dasho Shingkhar Lam devoted himself to religious practice in Shingkhar and Ura in Bumthang. He earned the affectionate title Meme Dasho (Grandfather Dasho) from his community. In 1999, he personally oversaw the restoration of Shingkhar Lhakhang monastery, completing much of the artwork himself. A stroke in his later years left him physically debilitated, but he continued his spiritual practice, deepening his meditation on Dzogchen teachings. He died on 16 October 2014.^[7]

A personal tribute published in The Bhutanese newspaper described him as humble, spiritually inclined, and deeply devoted to both his nation and his faith — a figure who embodied the intersection of statecraft, artistry, and Buddhist practice that characterises much of Bhutan's public life.^[8]

References

Contributed by BhutanWiki Editorial