News and Views on Tibet

Tenzin Choegyal nominated for ‘Song of the Year’ at 2025 International Folk Music

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Grammy-nominated Tibetan musician Tenzin Choegyal (Photo/Rod Pilbeam)

Tenzin Nyidon 

DHARAMSHALA, Dec. 5: Renowned Tibetan musician Tenzin Choegyal has been nominated for Song of the Year at the 2025 International Folk Music Awards for his song, ‘Tenzin Sings with Nightingales’ on Tuesday. The song is featured in his independently released album Whispering Sky. 

The nomination came as a delightful surprise for the Australian-based artist. “I had just returned from the first-ever Tibetan Artists Festival in Dharamshala and was catching up on work when I came across an email from the organization. Seeing that my song, Tenzin Sings with Nightingales, from my album Whispering Sky, released on August 15, had been nominated for Song of the Year was incredibly humbling,” he told Phayul.

Reflecting on the news, Choegyal expressed immense gratitude, adding that the joy of visiting Dharamshala coupled with this recognition was overwhelming. “These emotions are beyond words,” he shared.

Tenzin Sings with Nightingales continues to receive acclaim for its soulful blend of Tibetan traditional melodies and modern folk influences. Choegyal shared the inspiration behind the track, describing it as a unique collaboration across distance and nature. “The song began as an improvised collaboration during winter,” he recounted. “In England, nightingales sing at night during the season, and my friend Sam Lee, a fellow folk artist, invited me to record something while the nightingales sang live in a forest near London. I took up the challenge, improvising with my flute and vocals as I listened to the birds singing under the night sky. That became the foundation of the track.”

The Grammy-nominated musician called the song an “unusual” creation, noting its length and experimental nature. “After my improvisation, I invited my friend Michael Askill to add his touch. He brought in tuned percussion, which elevated the piece. It’s not your typical 4- or 5-minute song—it’s 11 minutes and 26 seconds long. I was genuinely surprised when it was nominated,” he said.

Choegyal reflected on the significance of the recognition as a Tibetan musician representing his heritage on a global stage. “I find immense joy in even the smallest achievements by Tibetan artists or writers because it means we get to share our collective story with a wider audience,” he shared. “Whenever Tibetan films, books, visual arts, music, or any form of storytelling receive recognition on an international platform, it holds deep meaning for me. It’s not just about my story—it’s about the larger story of the Tibetan community. When I share my music, the narrative of my community naturally comes along with it. Moments like these are truly joyful.” 

“The global folk music audience has been engaging with Tibetan folk music for a long time,” Choegyal noted. “I’ve seen field recordings on old vinyl records and encountered many traditional Tibetan folk tunes being appreciated by friends in the West. There’s a dedicated space and audience for this music.

However, as Tibetan artists, it is crucial for us to continue creating and sharing content on global platforms to ensure constant evolution and connection with listeners. When folk music—or any art form—continues to grow and evolve, it naturally finds its audience. This is an encouraging time, and my recent visit to Dharamshala has been particularly empowering.

I noticed a remarkable openness among listeners and audiences. There’s now a significant space for evolving music and art forms. Perhaps 30 years ago, there wasn’t as much receptivity for diverse artistic expressions, but today, minds, eyes, and ears are far more open to exploring and embracing them. It’s inspiring to see this shift and to witness how people are increasingly willing to share and engage with different art forms,” he added.

Born in Tibet and now based in Australia, Choegyal is renowned for his commitment to preserving Tibetan musical traditions while seamlessly blending them with contemporary influences. His work has earned international acclaim, including a 2020 Grammy nomination in the Best New Age Album category for Songs from the Bardo, a collaborative project with Laurie Anderson and Jesse Paris Smith.

With a career spanning decades, Choegyal has graced prestigious global stages, performing at events like WOMAD and the iconic Concerts for Tibet House at Carnegie Hall in New York. Beyond his performances, he has made significant contributions to cultural preservation by founding the Festival of Tibet in Brisbane, Australia, in 2008. This annual event celebrates Tibetan heritage through music, art, film, and thought-provoking discussions, serving as a vital platform to promote Tibetan culture and raise awareness on a global scale.

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