DAWA ZANGMO | Thimphu
While performers often receive the spotlight, the success of any live event largely depends on the expertise of sound technicians working behind the scenes.
Recognising the growing need for skilled technical professionals in Bhutan’s expanding creative industry, the Department of Media, Creative Industry and Intellectual Property (DoMCIIP) conducted the country’s first-ever “Essentials Training Programme for Live Sound” in Thimphu.
The four-day training programme, held from 13 to 16 June, brought together more than 20 sound technicians and audio professionals from across the country. The initiative aimed to enhance participants’ knowledge and practical skills in live sound production and audio system management.
The training was led by an experienced sound engineer from India with more than a decade of expertise in live sound reinforcement, touring productions and audio system optimisation. Through a combination of theoretical and practical sessions, participants gained hands-on exposure to professional live sound practices.
Industry stakeholders say quality live performances depend not only on talented artists but also on the technical professionals responsible for delivering clear and balanced sound to audiences. They believe strengthening technical capacity is essential for supporting Bhutan’s growing entertainment and events sector and improving the overall standard of live productions.
Choeying Jatsho, Founder and Creative Director of M-Studio, said sound professionals often remain behind the scenes despite playing a critical role in the success of live events.
“While musicians and producers often receive support and recognition, sound professionals frequently remain behind the scenes despite their vital contribution to the industry. This programme is the first of its kind for people working in sound. We are very thankful to DoMCIIP for organising this programme,” he said.
He explained that, as the country’s first programme dedicated to live sound, it seeks to equip participants with foundational knowledge and practical skills necessary for professional live sound operations.
Choeying Jatsho added that the training would contribute to improving the quality and professionalism of live events by enabling technicians to identify and resolve sound-related challenges more effectively. He said the programme also provides participants with a strong foundation to continue developing their skills independently and expressed hope that similar training opportunities would be organised in the future for sound engineers and other creative industry professionals.
Among the participants was Krishna Gajmar, founder of Supersonic Enterprise, who has nearly 29 years of experience in live sound. He said that much of the work in the industry has traditionally been based on practical experience, with limited access to formal theoretical training.
According to him, the programme helped bridge important knowledge gaps by providing a better understanding of audio systems, including speaker selection, system configuration and appropriate equipment placement for different types of events.
“Even after nearly three decades in the field, this training has enhanced my professional understanding. It has given me greater confidence in live sound operations and will also help me share knowledge with younger technicians,” he said.
Krishna Gajmar expressed appreciation to DoMCIIP for organising the programme and hoped that similar training opportunities would be extended to other technical disciplines in the future.
Another participant, Sonam Drukpa, who has five years of experience in live sound, said the training helped address many assumptions that technicians often rely on in the absence of formal instruction.
“For the past few years, we have been working largely based on assumptions. This training has given us a much clearer understanding of live sound and greater confidence in handling technical work. The knowledge gained here can also be passed on to junior colleagues,” he said.
The programme was launched through a collaboration between M-Studio, the DoIMCIIP, and Bhutanese singer Ugyen Dorji, popularly known as Ugyen Panday. The initiative was designed to address the lack of formal training opportunities in live sound production in Bhutan.
Participants demonstrated strong commitment throughout the programme by actively engaging in both practical and theoretical sessions. They also contributed essential materials required for the training, helping ensure the smooth implementation of various learning activities and contributing to the programme’s overall success.
As Bhutan’s creative economy continues to develop, industry experts emphasise that investment in technical skills is just as important as nurturing artistic talent. They say initiatives such as the Essentials Training Programme for Live Sound will play a vital role in building a skilled workforce capable of supporting the country’s growing entertainment and live events industry.
