Travelling in Mongolia often involves in a long journey. Music could be sole company for those traversing great steppes and rolling hills of this vast country. This is a story about music genres in Mongolian which is popular folk music (literally popular short song or zohioliin duu).
For years, we are running tours across the country. Yet, such introduction to Mongolian music was missing. Thus, we decided to share stories about Mongolian music, history behind it and composers for those who had travelled with us in Mongolia or mighty future visitors. Music is the universal language between us and others.
Transition from communism (similar to the current North Korean system) to democracy had domino effect on Mongolia’s music. Prior to the transition, music industry was subsidised by the government and composers used to produce their music under guidance of Ministry of Culture. Market relations was new to many and the industry was almost neglected in early 1990’s. State medals and honours were considered as the largest recognition of those talented artists, still the same nowadays in some ways or another. On the other hand, it also weakens protection of intellectual rights. Many composers, poets and even singers seem to live on their fame and dime without earning the pay that they deserve.
Mongolian music scene is thrived by duet singers Javkhlan (now a member of Ikh Khural or Parliament) and Bayasgalan in early 2000 and this dominance lasted for a decade and even more. Mongolia’s transition to democracy, its rapid urbanisation is often reflected in the music. Nostalgia of home land, parents, your root, your horse could possibly be reasons of many famous songs in Mongolia. Notably, love is probably universal and one of the greatest themes. Out of which, parents’ love… you may not find rival in Mongolian popular folk music.
Nation of singers, the life in rural Mongolia can only be complete with various Mongolian songs. Wedding, friends’ gathering, child’s hair cut ceremony all accompanied with melodic songs. Each region is proud of their talented composers, singers and artists. Out of which, UVS province stands out. Uvs is known for its ethnic diversity, unique Mongolian dialects, most notably by renowned singers and wrestlers.
A hidden talent from UVS province:
One of the “hidden” talents were Magsarjav.B. A recent Facebook Live video went viral in the country which is shared by Javkhlan, S, a singer and MP. As a listener, I felt sad not knowing the composer who was behind the greatest songs that we used to listen to since our childhood. His songs are sung across the country and touch every corner of your heart and soul. Yet, he is living modestly without state recognition or honour that he deserves. It is unfair….
Magsarjav was an adopted and only child, brought up in Tes area in Uvs province in north-western Mongolia. The area is inhabited predominantly by Bayad Mongols, one of the ancient tribes in the country. He didn’t know he was adopted until very late. As his parents concerned that he might return to his biological parents. His mother discovered his music talent at very young age and took music class from a neighbouring teacher.
He recalls his early music education in rural Mongolia as:
‘ My music teacher was wonderful horse headed fiddle player, Naidan. I was four: my parents used to put me on horseback and send me off to my music teacher. I cannot dismount from my horse and the teacher used to collect me from the horse. I used to spend all day playing with music before my parents pick me up…’.
He was sent off to the capital city Ulaanbaatar before turning 14 to study in a professional music school where he met his another famous teacher Murdorj.L. who is renowned for his classic music in Mongolia. His first song was composed in 1978 and dedicated to his mom when he was 15. The song is still being sung to days. The lyrics of the songs was written by Gaitav, Ts, a famous poet in the country. Sadly, he passed away before listening to the new song.:
“Suun Dalai Eej” or “Mother of Milk Ocean”
Warmth of sunlight, mother alike moon light beauty
Earth smiles with generous love
Lullaby ponders whole universe
Greatest of pure kindness
Mother of Milk Ocean…
His second is very famous in Mongolia. Everyone might know and like the song. It was composed with Lkhagvasuren.B, state honoured poet, during their train journey on Trans-Mongolian railway. As Magsarjav disclosed the story about the song (“Zuuden boroor” or Dream drizzle) in his interview as…
“ …Lkhagasuren asked for me whether I can tell anyone beautiful on the train restaurant. I looked around and spotted three ladies of whom one had beautiful yet piercing eyes. This happened while we were discussing to make a new song. Lkhagvasuren immediately wrote down the first part of the lyrics as:
Soaring birds gliding in
Singing with chills of freezing spring
Oh my sweet heart with peach dark eyes
When the moment be- gazing your serene beauty
Then he approached the ladies and told them: “Please come and listen to a new song in carriage No9 in 30 minutes” and walked away. He challenged me to compose the melody in 5 minutes if my talent allows. Lkhagvasuren soon wrote the second part as:
Night moon is getting bigger as rising up gently
Best of all -my sweet heart
Missing you is my destiny
He went for a cat nap for 5 minutes and wrote the final part as:
Dream drizzle pours as asleep
Wet pillow chills cheek let me left alone
When the moment be- seated with sweet gaze in a roof erected ger
Seated with sweet gaze in a roof erected ger will be our destiny
Now lyrics is ready and melody is noway near to be completed. Meantime I composed two versions which Lkhagvasuren did not like.
He told me: “She is in a carriage No 1. Just go and see her. Do not tell anything and come back that might help…” . As I approached to her carriage she was combing her hair in a moon light whilst checking her watch, assuming that she is anxious to listen to the song… Then melody stroke suddenly…”
Enjoy listening to Magsarjav’s “Zuuden boroo” or “Dream drizzle”
Soaring birds gliding in
Singing with chills of freezing spring
Oh my sweet heart with peach dark eyes
When the moment be- gazing your serene beauty
Night moon is getting bigger as rising up gently
Best of all -my sweet heart
Missing you is my destiny
Dream drizzle pours as asleep
Wet pillow chills on the cheek let me leave alone
When the moment be- seating with sweet gaze in a roof erected ger
Seating with sweet gaze in a roof erected ger will be our destiny
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmoM6VFs-aY )
Music video credit to Magsarjav, Azzay, Turmunkh, Magsarjav’s interview is translated from www.dardas.mn.
