Ohan Hayrike (Father Ohan)

Suren Kocharian was born in Tbilisi. From 1921to 1925 he studied at the Armenian Drama Studio in Moscow. From 1925 to 1932 he was an actor at Yerevan's First State Theater. From 1932 he devoted his time entirely to the art of recitation. In 1939 he became a soloist for the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra. He has more than thirty literary compositions in Armenian and Russian. He was awarded the title of People's Artist of Armenia in 1945 and of Russia in 1967. He was presented the State Prizes of the USSR and Armenia in 1951 and 1975 respectively. He also received the Order of the Badge of Honor He died in Moscow and was buried in Yerevan.