Born in Gharakilisa (now Vanadzor). In 1957 he graduated from the composition department of the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory, in the class of Grigor Yeghiazaryan. In 1961-76 he taught at the R. Melikyan Music College in Yerevan, and from 1970 at the Yerevan Conservatory (professor from 1989). From 1974 he was chairman of the board of the Armenian branch of the USSR Music Fund. In 1972 he was awarded the title of Honored Art Worker of Armenia, and in 1990 that of People's Artist. He died in Yerevan.
