Georgian leaders pay tribute after death of musician Mamuka Charkviani

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has expressed condolences following the death of celebrated musician and singer-songwriter Mamuka Charkviani, who has died at the age of 69.

In his comments on Thursday, Kobakhidze described Charkviani as an artist who won the “recognition and love of generations of listeners” through his sincerity and unique performance style. He extended sympathy on behalf of the government to the musician’s family, colleagues and fans.

President Mikheil Khavelashvili also paid tribute, praising Charkviani’s “significant contribution to the development of Georgian musical culture”. He said the artist’s compositions would remain in the hearts of the Georgian people.

Charkviani rose to prominence on Georgia’s music scene in 1995, with much of his repertoire based on poems written by his father, the noted Georgian poet Jansug Charkviani.

He released several albums and received multiple awards during his career. In 1996 he won first prize for traditional Georgian song at the Liga festival with Mtsvane Rtoebi (Green Branches). Three years later, his track Magla da Mahla (Higher and Higher) was named the best Georgian song of the 20th century.

Later he was awarded a Golden Disc for a number of hit songs.

In 2014, Charkviani’s contribution to Georgian culture was further recognised when a star bearing his name was unveiled outside the Tbilisi Philharmonic Concert Hall.