YEREVAN, AUGUST 19, ARMENPRESS. This February, there was a great stir on the Internet: an Azerbaijani singer was performing Sayat-Nova’s "Kamancha" song under the title "The Black Sea Stirred". The Azeris were fiercely trying to convince that the song was purely Azerbaijani, the Armenians were once again shocked at the encroachments of the neighbors upon Sayat-Nova and kamancha. Only one Azerbaijani artist confessed that the real author of the song is Armenian.

For us Armenians Sayat-Nova and kamancha have always had a special significance. Of course, today the demand for the national Armenian musical instruments, compared with classical instruments, is not so great, but there are people who make kamancha, play it and transfer their love for the instrument to the younger generation. Arshak Isakhanyan is one of such devotees.

When a child, Arshak used to accompany his sister, who played kanon in Goris Folk Instruments Ensemble, performing in different communities of Syunik.  There, the boy saw how the master played kamancha and fell in love with the instrument.