Songs from Akhaltsikhe 2026

[sonia]

I went on Carl Linich's two week singing study tour to Georgia this summer. We went to Akhaltsikhe, a small city near the Turkish border about three hours drive south-west of the capital Tbilisi. It's in the Meskheti region, and we were there to study with Zaza Tamarashvili, the leader of the Meskheti Ensemble and a wonderful singer and teacher. Most of the songs in his section are linked to videos of the Meskheti Ensemble.

We also learned some songs from Carl, and from Nino Naneishvili, the leader of the Ialoni women's ensemble. It was amazing to learn from each one of them.

Here's a list of all 25 (!) songs, most of them with video links.

Zaza Tamarashvili

Avtandil Gadinadira - Meskheti Ensemble
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgAC3eHt35E

Dzmano - Meskheti Ensemble
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BEH1jAKT-k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mawQr_rW4M

Gegutisa Mindorzeda

Meskheti Mravalzhamier - Meskheti Ensemble
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6Jc24-6bck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybG5xTVThV0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNtIFfUo9M8

Meskheti Mze Shina - Meskheti Ensemble
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfIji87kU3s

Meskheti Nana - Maro Babo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1roKirdn9o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7oppa8OA_U, Maro Jujunadze at her museum in Village Muskhi three years ago (only 90!) rocking a cradle (“es ak’vani”) as she sings the song, recorded by Nino Naneishvili

Mamli Mukhasa - Meskheti Ensemble
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFQsk6H6lEM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8-xU1hVz-s

Ok’ro Mch’edelo - Meskheti Ensemble
We didn’t formally learn this one, but we sang it often
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4O-UPFySiI

Otkhi Ts’qaro "ოთხი წყარო"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5rPfaxe9ys

Samqrelo Perkhuli - Meskheti Ensemble
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqpVLfVSBo8

Samnive Sheviqarenit

Vardzioba Dziobasa - Meskheti Ensemble
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF6ZD3RCeoY&t=70

Carl Linich

Ch’ona (Imereti) - Keria
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSK9KszuNSY

Maspindzluri (Achara) - Supruli
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU1t54dFlCo

Orira - Basiani
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8-bTDWogIY

Nosa-Dia

Tsmida Dedoplis Sagalobeli - Rustavi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxAoQ1heIFk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwxIUqfKAw4

Nino Naneishvili

Alilo da Balilo da (Racha)

Bat’onebo (Imereti) - Nino with a trio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNqwqPpxoNw

Ch’kim Toronji (Didou Nana)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3SrJY9npxg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbzFiCj3rb8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCcr4BLJnow Martve boys choir

Dideba Ghmertsa - Basiani
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veDjP7H8Gyk

Nina (Guria)

Perkhuli Chavabat (Kartli-Kakheti) - Supruli
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIs1ytboH9Q

Ra Lamazi Gogo Shen Khar (Achara) - Ialoni
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBpqEUlGLdM

Vikhilot Shoba - Ialoni
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxmkNF5sBmo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ma_Am7qN4E

Comments

What an adventure!

[jesse_the_k]

and thanks for celebrating this music with singing and research.