Chargali
Amiran Zurabashvili
Amiran was born and raised in the picturesque village of Chargali, Vazha-Pshavela’s¹ birthplace. He loves singing ballads on his panduri² and on occasion gathers with local men to sing old Pshav³ songs. His voice can also be heard in Lashari Ensemble recordings.
¹Luka Razikashvili (1861-1916) was one of Georgia’s most famous poets and writers. He wrote under the pen name Vazha-Pshavela, which literally means son from Pshavi. He was born and raised in the village of Chargali where a museum for him, opened in 1961, exists today.
²A three-stringed, fretted lute common in all regions of northeastern Georgia. The instrument is most frequently used to accompany ballad singing. Read more about the panduri here.
³A highland in northeast Georgia. Read more about Pshavi here.
Amiran Zurabashvili