Vartan

March 15, 2012

Purmatikinn Eker E
Hayrik Mouradian Children’s Song and Dance Ensemble

“Purmatikinn Eker E” is performed on the holiday of Vardavar, the day of water worship. The worship of water and flowers represents, in this case, fertility. In pagan times, Vardavar was one of many holidays dedicated to the Armenian goddess Anahit. This song originates in the town of Balu. It is sung by children, holding specially made dolls, as they run from house to house.

Anyone who understands the Balu dialect and can help me with my translation is welcome to do so:

Purmatikinn eker e / The vardavar doll has come
Share shapik* haker e / A precious dress she’s worn
Karmir ktak* drer e / A red hat she’s put on
Qrtan lachak* dzker e / Around her head, a scarf she’s adorned

Karmir kov u yegh kuze / A red cow and butter she wants
Sev hav u havgit kuze / A black chicken and eggs she wants
Mets ptke blghur kuze / Bulghur from a large jar she wants
Pstik ptke agh kuze / and from a small vase, salt, she wants.

Hayde, Ana u Maqro / Let’s go, Ana and Makro
Parche dnenq mer pijin / Let’s put a piece of cloth on our ?
Jur letsur ghurban Maqro / Pour water, dear Makro
Ertanq jrenq Urma’in / Let’s go wet Urma ?
*share shapik, karmir ktak, and krtan lachak are pieces of cultural clothing

The ensemble was founded in 1996 by Hayrik’s student, Hasmik Harutyunyan, who serves as the group’s artistic director. “We lost much in the massacres,” Hayrik said. “My greatest wish is that you, the children, keep this music, something sacred to all of us, alive. These songs tell the stories of our lives, with their struggles, happiness, sadness, feelings, and the history of our nation. The songs will help you grow and become good, intelligent people. I don’t consider our old world lost, as you children will bear the strength of these songs.”

I don’t know if the proper reaction to this album was to cry, but I did.