Pioneer Bonfire

He was born in Tbilisi. In 1934–39 he was a member of the acting company of the local Armenian Theatre for Young Spectators. In 1937–41 he worked in schools in Tbilisi. In 1941 he graduated from the music college. He took part in the Second World War (1941–45). In 1946 he moved to Yerevan; in 1948 he graduated from the R. Melikyan Music College in Yerevan and taught there in 1948–51. In 1953 he graduated from the composition department of the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory (class of Grigor Yeghiazaryan), and in 1958 completed postgraduate studies at the Leningrad Conservatory under B. Aralov. From 1958 he taught at the Yerevan Conservatory (professor from 1983). In 1968–70 he was director and artistic director of the A. Spendiaryan Opera and Ballet Theatre in Yerevan. From 1950 he was a member of the Union of Composers of Armenia. In 1971–73 he was head of the Union of Composers of Armenia. He was awarded numerous orders and medals. In 1965 he was awarded the title of Honored Art Worker of Armenia, and in 1985 that of People's Artist of Armenia. He died in Yerevan.