Sayat Nova and 8 Songs of Him Recommended for You to Listen!

Sayat Nova is a great poet and musician of the 18^th century’s Armenia, who made a considerable contribution to the Armenian poetry and folk music. Find out about him and his songs here!

Music is a constantly changing thing. Every week more songs are added to the pile, but rare songs win people’s hearts and stay there for months, decades and why not centuries.

Sayat Nova or the “King of Songs” (as the Armenian nation calls him) is an exceptional singer and poet whose songs have stood the test of time and are still popular among Armenians.

Before we go any further, you should know that Sayat Nova is an author of about 220 songs written in a number of languages including Armenian, Georgian and Persian.

Although Sayat Nova lived his entire life in a deeply religious society, his works are mostly secular and full of romantic expressionism.

Keep scrolling to get acquainted with Sayat Nova’s top 8 love songs. We promise, the enchanting melody of Sayat Nova’s songs will make you fall in love with his music.

Sayat Nova Song #1: “Ashkarhums Imn Dunis”

“Ashkarhums imn dunis” (“In this world, you are mine”) is perhaps Sayat Nova’s most famous love song which was and is still sang by many Armenian and non-Armenian singers.

In 2012, “Reincarnation”, an Armenian reggae band gave new colors and new rhythms to this song which also became the official soundtrack of Poker.am, an Armenian adventurous comedy. The soundtrack played its part in making the film a great success.

Nowadays, it is hard to imagine Armenian parties and family gatherings without the modern interpretation of “Ashkarhums Imn Dunis” which jumped onto the top of Armenian music charts becoming a real hit.

Anyway, if you draw parallels between the original and the modern versions of this song you will see how different they are in terms of melody and mood.

Now, let’s listen to both of these versions and see which one you like the best!

Have you ever listened Charles Aznavour singing an Armenian song? If no, then follow this link and enjoy the most famous Armenian’s interpretation of “Asharhums imn dunis”. Aznavour’s sweet voice will just make your heart melt (Aznavour performs this song together with his daughter Seda Aznavour).

Sayat Nova Song #2: Tamam Ashxarh

Sayat Nova’s dedicated the majority of his love songs to Anna, the sister of King Heraclius II of Georgia. “Tamam Ashxarh” is not an exception.

Sayat Nova’s passion towards his muse is completely disclosed in this very song where the poet uses a lot of metaphors and epithets to describe Anna’s irresistible beauty and charm.

Wear sack cloth, wear gold cloth,

Your clothes become precious

When you walk in them…

***

Whoever has you, is happy.

Whoever finds you never feels sorry

for the one who has lost you.

***

You are fire, dressed in fire.

Which fire can I withstand?

“Tamam Ashxarh” is a song that brought fame to many Armenian contemporary singers. One of them is undoubtedly Nune Yesayan, whose worldwide concert tours would not be complete and so colorful without “Tamam Ashxarh”.

The same can be said about Eva Rivas, who became popular literally in one night just after singing “Tamam Ashxarh” during national annual ceremony “Tashir 2009”. After the performance, she released a music video of the same song.

By the way, “Tamam Ashkarh” is not among songs you can sing just for fun when taking a shower, doing dishes or driving to work.

One should be really talented to be able to sing Sayat Nova’s “Tamam Ashkarh”.

If you are musician and have already listened to this song you will definitely understand what we mean.

Sayat Nova Song #3: Blbuli Hid

“Blbuli hid” or “Chka Kizi Nman” (There no one like you) is recognized in Armenia and Armenian Diaspora as one of the best love songs.

In the song, Sayat Nova states there is no one like her muse on the earth. The poet confesses that she is so beautiful with her flawless face, hair and clothes that she makes him go crazy.

Despite its age, “Blbuli hid” hasn’t lost its popularity. It is still performed on Armenian and international stages by the most famous Armenian singers (Nune Yesayan, Ofelya Hambardzumyan, etc).

By the way, you can also visit armenianmusic.am (which presents Armenian national and spiritual music to the world). There you can find the instrumental adaptation of “Blbuli hid”.

Sayat Nova Song #4: Ashkarhums Akh Chim Qashi

“Your lips are sweet as honey”, “your eyes are like pearls”, “you are my new rose garden”, “you are brighter than the sun”, “how else can I express my admiration for you”, etc.

This is the very small portion of metaphors and similes Sayat Nova uses in the song “Ashkarhums akh chim qashi” to praise his one and only one.

Surf the internet and you will find “Ashkarhums akh chim qashi” performed by many Armenian singers.

The rich melodies of kamancheh (string instrument), kanun (Asian string instrument) or duduk (Armenian wind instrument) make this song even more beautiful.

Sayat Nova Song #5: Nazani

Just like the other girls, every Armenian girl is secretly yearning for having an unforgettable and fairy tale-like wedding.

Long before that special day, Armenian girls not only try to find the perfect dress and choose the right hairstyle and makeup, they also take dance classes so they can shine in front of their guests and most importantly their future husbands.

So “Bride’s dance” (Harsi par) is one of the most exciting and integral parts of Armenian weddings, which is accompanied by beautiful Armenian songs.

Dozens of wedding videos available on the internet come to prove that Armenian brides give great preference to Sayat Nova’s “Nazani”.

This beautiful love song completes the bride’s delicate dance movements and makes her look like a real queen.

Sayat Nova Song #6: Qani Vur Jan Im

“Qani vur jan im” is another love song by Sayat Nova. In this song the singer asks his lover to come to him and bring new colors to his life with her beauty and love.

Such famous Armenian singers sang this song as Ofelya Hambardzumyan and Nune Yesayan.

Thanks to the modern approach to this song and its instrumental adaptations, “Qani vur jan im” is still very popular among Armenians.

You are definitely going to like this unique interpretation of “Qani vur jan im” performed with Armenian duduk and guitar.

Sayat Nova Song #7: Kamancheh

Why are Sayat Nova’s songs still popular after so many centuries since their creation? It’s a good question that has a clear answer. It is the enchanting melody of kamancheh that makes everyone fall in love with Sayat Nova’s songs.

In this song, Sayat Nova praises his favorite instrument – kamancheh. The singer is sure as long as he lives kamancheh will be his faithful companion. And also his love for kamancheh will endure forever.

Sayat Nova Song #8: Arants Qiz Inch Konim

“Arants qiz inch konim” or “What can I do without you” is another beautiful love song by Sayat Nova. The singer doesn’t find any meaning in life if his love is not near. He is ready to get rid of this love which brings him so much pain and sorrow.

But deep in his heart Sayat Nova yearns for spending the rest of his life with his love and being loved right back by her.