TAKHPAKHS OF THE WAR YEARS (FROM THE KURBIZHEKOV FAMILY’S ARCHIVE)

Abstract

A takhpakh is the most widespread song genre of Khakass folklore; it serves as a way of expressing common emotions of the people. The Khakass folk takhpakh differs from other genres in its simplicity of a form, topicality of content, and timely response to modern processes in the society. Takhpakhs of the Great Patriotic War vividly reflected feelings, emotional experiences of a lyrical hero, being relevant and timely in that difficult period, and have become today a historical chronicle of those years. The article analyzes war takhpakhs preserved in the Kurbizhekov family’s archive. Representatives of this talented family - bearers of the traditional musical culture - have made a great contribution to the reservation of the Khakass people’s folklore heritage. One of the features of the Khakass folk takhpakh is the presence of a short story, backstory, which a singer tells before performing, and thanks to which a takhpakh is perceived by listeners more deeply and vividly.