Achqd Khumar

She was born in Alexandrapol (now Gyumri). From early childhood Araksya Gyulzadyan showed an interest in music, and her talent was noticed already in her school years. She received her primary education in Alexandrapol. At first she performed in amateur groups. In 1926 she settled in Yerevan, and until 1955 she was a soloist of the Folk Instruments Ensemble of the Armenian Radio Committee. From 1955 to 1967 she was a soloist of the Armenian Philharmonic. She performed Armenian, Azerbaijani and Iranian folk and ashugh songs, as well as works by Armenian composers (romances and songs). In 1939 and 1965 she took part in the Ten-Day Festivals (dekadas) of Armenian Art in Moscow. She was one of the finest performers of the songs of Sheram. Among her teachers was Romanos Melikyan. In 1960 Araksya Gyulzadyan was awarded the title of People's Artist of Armenia. She died in Yerevan.