ashugh Shahen

He was born in the village of Durdbulagh, RA (now the village of Krasar in Shirak Province, Republic of Armenia). He took part in the Second World War (1941–45). He was a soloist of the Armenian Folk Song and Dance Ensemble. From 1945 he led the ensembles "Shaheni knary" (Shahen's Lyre), "Yerevan" and "Shirak". He wrote more than 500 lyrical songs, the poem "Elinar", the musical picture "Heriknaz" and other works. In his work he drew on the rich traditions of the folk song art of his native village and of Shirak. In 1939 and 1956 Ashugh Shahen took part in the Ten-Day Festivals (dekadas) of Armenian Art and Literature in Moscow. In 1939 he was awarded the Order of the Badge of Honour. In 1967 the ashugh was awarded the title of People's Artist of Armenia. He died in Yerevan.