WANG CHUK

 Aku Tongmi (1913 - 2007) Even after his demise, the entire nation pays reverence to his tunes, for it was Aku Tongmi who first composed the tunes for Bhutan’s National Anthem (Druk Tshenden Koepai Gyelkhab Na). Chimi Dorji, popularly known to us as Aku Tongmi, was born in the year 1913 at Digala, Chikhor (Upper Kheng) in Zhemgang. As a kid he would regularly accompany his uncle to keep watch over the crops. As the story goes, during one such day, when they were watching over the maize fields, he came upon his uncle being mauled by a bear. Desperate to save his uncle, he swung his sword at the bear but then fate dealt him with a cruel blow at the very moment. Though it was the bear that he was swinging his sword at, it was his uncle that the sword landed upon. His uncle succumbed and ever since the incident he came to be known as Aku Tongmi. A painful reminder of the unfortunate turn of event that day. The name stuck and remained as an integral part of his identity right ...

The first Raven Crown, was designed for Trongsa Poenlop Jigme Namgyal (1825-1881) by his tutor, lama Jangchub Tsöndru. The first prototype of the founding monarch's Raven Crown was first devised as a battle helmet for Jigme Namgyel (1825–1881). Also Known as the Black Regent, he wore it in the war against his many rivals within the country and against the British who tried, unsuccessfully, to subdue him. The bird represents a form of Mahakala, Bhutan's guardian deity. This first version of the Raven Crown was conceived more as a magical helmet than a symbol of royalty. Imbued with the essence of two of the great protector Yeshey Gonpo (Mahakala) and the Raven Headed Mahakala of Action (Legon Jarok Dongchen), it was intended to associate these deities permanently with its wearer. The crown or headdress represents him as the main protector of Bhutan. Pc: Alamy Source: The lens Queen [facebook]