Young Diasporans Keeping Our Culture Alive, One Song at a Time
By Taleen Babayan
June 1, 2013
Ten bold, black letters of the Armenian alphabet are etched across
Razmik Tchakmakian’s left upper arm, the letters comprising a powerful
word that has been central to the plight of Armenians and significant
to our endurance as a people: Veradznoont, or rebirth. Above it rests
a symbol of Armenian survival: Tsitsernakaberd, the Armenian Genocide
Memorial with a flame emerging from the steel slabs.
Razmik Tchakmakian
Though born thousands of miles away from the monument and his
homeland, Tchakmakian and his two childhood friends, Sevag Titizian
and Sevag Haroutunian, feel their submerged patriotism is not only
skin-deep but entrenched in their hearts. So much so that these former
Armenian School classmates decided to parlay their individual passion
for music and join a band to continue the musical traditions of our
culturally rich past.
`Pyunik,’ which means `phoenix’ in Armenian, pays homage to the
lineage of talented Armenian musicians and singers who have helped
sustain the unique melodies and compositions of our musical
traditions.
`It was kind of like a young band rising out of the ashes of those
artists before us,’ said Tchakmakian.
Playing everything from covers of Harout Pamboukjian’s patriotic tunes
to Tata’s crowd pleasers, `Pyunik’ seeks to entertain and enliven the
spirit of Armenian kef, no matter the occasion.
Formed in 2006 by Haroutunian, the group had its beginnings at St.
Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Toronto, where members practiced
in the church’s hall, under the auspices of Fr. Meghrig Parikian.
Although the group has shifted its members over time, it has found a
successful harmony among its current members, who have all been
musically inclined since childhood.
Haroutunian, 25, Titizian, 25, and Tchakmakian, 23, each brought a
range of talents to the band, and grew up with a great appreciation
for music and the arts in their households.
Playing the violin at the age of nine, Haroutunian switched to piano
when his older brother brought a keyboard home one day. He soon began
taking private lessons with teachers who were experienced in jazz,
classical music, and the Divine Liturgy.
Sevag Titizian
Veering more towards percussion, Tchakmakian started playing the drums
at 10 and picked up the dhol and dumbeg over the years. Titizian, who
sings vocals for `Pyunik,’ also plays the piano and drums.
The band members’ musical influences also show diversity, which add to
their originality as a group. As a vocalist, Titizian has been heavily
influenced by Paul Baghdadlian, Stevie Wonder, James Brown. and Frank
Sinatra.
`Armenian music has been a big influence in my life,’ said
Tchakmakian, who cites Harout Pamboukjian and Ruben Hakhverdyan as
singers who have inspired him. `But rock music and classic rock have
also played a significant role.’
Haroutunian’s musical interests also span genres and include
French-Armenian favorite Charles Aznavour, Canadian guitarist Jesse
Cook, and the American heavy metal band Metallica.
`They all paint different colors in my palette, which allows for
interpretation and usage of elements from each type of genre,’ said
Haroutunian.
Throughout our modern history, Armenian musicians and singers have
rejuvenated our culture, which has been vulnerable to fading away.
Preceding visionaries such as Gomidas and Sayat Nova preserved our
music, ensuring that it wouldn’t be lost, and the more contemporary
singers, such as living legends Harout Pamboukjian and Adiss
Harmandian, modernized them. `Pyunik,’ as a young Diasporan Armenian
group, is continuing the trend and using their musical talents to
engage our generation in the music of our people, while putting their
own modern spin on it.
`Armenian music is close to my heart,’ said Haroutunian, who sang in
the Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Armenian School of Toronto’s school
choir and church choir. `And we believe that young people our age need
to listen and dance to more Armenian tunes.’
Sevag Haroutunian
Tchakmakian echoed Haroutunian’s words, and though he has played in
rock music bands, says Armenian music `is our own and the younger
generation has to carry it on.’
Music, in all ethnicities, is one of the simplest and most effective
ways to keep a people united. If not for the arts, Armenians from
Toronto to Buenos Aires to Sydney wouldn’t know the familiar sound of
an oud, the universal steps to a `shoorch bar,’ or the symbolic words
to our folkloric songs. And if it weren’t for those dedicated to
continuing our traditions, we would be overshadowed in a world
comprised of more populous and powerful ethnic groups.
`Pyunik,’ which has steadily been making a name for itself over the
years, has performed at a plethora of Armenian events both in Canada
and in the U.S., including the AYF Olympics in Chicago, Montreal’s
Kermesse, and Toronto’s Winterfest. Their most recent performance was
on the Armenian Heritage Cruise earlier this year, which displayed
their talents to a wider audience.
`Performing on the cruise was great,’ said Tchakmakian. `There’s a
cultural aspect that people may not have access to in their own
communities.’
`It was a different dynamic to perform for people from all over the
world,’ said Titizian. `The vibe was great and it was nice to see
everyone having a great time.’
The band would like to continue performing, writing more of their own
music and eventually putting out an album. In the meantime, they are
focused on their professions and their own independent projects. The
childhood friends support each other’s creative endeavors, such as
Titizian’s recently released `Du Im Sern Es,’ a contemporary Armenian
song with an energetic dance beat. Haroutunian composed the musical
arrangements and Tchakmakian makes a cameo in the popular music video,
which was shot on location in downtown Toronto. The song, written by
Titizian, has already reached over 10,000 hits on YouTube.
Tchakmakian’s YouTube channel, `Chaks Drums,’ has already reached over
7,000 views in its short history.
`We are all children of a great community and an even greater culture
who have lots to offer to the world,’ said Haroutunian.
Their devotion to Armenian music brought them together. The commitment
to their culture will keep them connected for years to come.
`All of us have the same passion of being Armenian and supporting
Armenian causes,’ said Titizian. `We are trying to keep our culture
alive. If we don’t do it who will?’
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