The first recordings in the Georgian Republic Mravalzhamier 1912

მრავალჟამიერი კახეთი, შილდა, 1912 წელი The first recordings in the Georgian Republic Choir of Shilda, province of Kakheti Levan Asabashvili, director. recorded 1912 (Gramophone C3-14716, matrix #3181ae; 02:00) 17. Mravalzhamier ("Long Life") This is the most popular of all table songs from Kakheti, and often sung as a wish for long life to any individual at the banquet. It exists in many variants, of which this is unique to Levan Abasashvili. Choir of Shilda (modern-day region of Kvareli), Kakheti "Dedas Levana" [Levan Asabashvili] (1854-1936), director Levan Asabashvili, more commonly referred to as "Dedas Levana," is revered as perhaps the greatest singer of Kakhetian folk song of the 20th century. Celebrated Georgian composer Zakaria Paliashvili wrote about him: "He is a tall, imposing villager of about 45 years. This giant of a man has such a large and powerful voice that many an opera singer should envy him." Asabashvili's choir recorded eight Kakhetian songs on gramophone discs, all of which are unique variants.