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The Sounds of Worcester: The Aramites
It all started in the early 1950s on the porches of the multi-level homes in the geography of Worcester’s Little Armenia: Chandler Street, Park Avenue, Austin Street and Belmont Street.
Reminiscing, Eddie Varteresian would say with a chuckle, “As kids, we used to play Armenian music on our porches, and the neighbors—whether Armenian or not—would love it in our little Armenia. We taught ourselves how to play.”
Origi
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I am sure that I took the photo of the original Aramite band. Great article!
Albert Der Parseghian (Watertown Gaidzag Chapter)
Al:
Thanks for the comment.
There may be an extra photo or two in the print version of the WEEKLY.
Harry
Do you still play. Are you for hire?
Thank you for all the memories. I just came across a picture of the Aramite Band from 1947 playing at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Cranston, RI for an anniversary of the Armenian Radio Hour with Russell Gasparian. It has the entire band on stage. Also found the Aramite records (78’s) and Hot Sands. They were a great band and loved hearing them play. Providence A.Y.F.
Here it is, but I can’t seem to post photos here, so posted here:
https://www.facebook.com/KennethMartinPhotography
Ken
1950s/60s/70s Armenian Record Album Covers
If you are Armenian, were around in the 1950s, 60s, 70s, and lived anywhere east of Granite City, Illinois and/or Bettendorf, Iowa, you probably had one/some/all of these albums in your record collection. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10220976851999067&type=3
Harry terrific memories of the olden days. I can remember always trying to be the first one on the dance floor when the ARAMITES PLAYED…….Nor shall I forget my first day of camp and the nurse being Olhoudjian………such great memories.
loved every moment shared with so many names that you have mentioned……….and ok Worcester was the best, but hey I was a member of the Watertown Gaidzag so can we say “we are second best”…….NO, because every single AYF Chapter were special…..😘
Dear Mr. Derderian,
Excellent article – thank you! I would like to add a note about the beloved song “Zungalo”. There is a parallel song dating back into the late-1800s called “Jharjharoom” which was sung in Kharpert and in the surrounding areas when the bride was being escorted through the town or village to the church for the wedding. Traditionally, the ankles of the bride were adorned with silver rings which had little bells attached to them, and as she walked, there was the sound of “jharjharoom” heard from the shifting bells; the word “zungalo” refers to the little bells. The lyrics sung before the Genocide in the dialect around Kharpert are as follows:
Eygan danoghnit, zungalo. (2)
Atchki hanoghnit, zungalo. (2)
(refrain)
Mi lar, harsnoog, mi lar
atchkerut garmurvin;
mi lar, harsnoog, mi lar
kez buzdig garkoghin.
They have come to take you, “zungalo”
They are the ones who are wishing you well (literally in Armenian, “atchkit looys”, light in your eye)
Do not cry, little bride, do not cry!
your eyes will turn red;
do not cry, little bride, do not cry!
because today is your little wedding day.
Alooj em kagher, zungalo
Vodit yem taper, zungalo
etc.
I have picked little crab apples (“alooj” is a small red fruit, akin to crab apple)
I am casting them before your feet.
etc.
Ganantch momerov, zungalo
garmir solerov, zungalo
etc.
Holding green candles (as a sign of hope and happiness)
wearing red slippers (as a sign of the luxury of the bride)
etc.
The Aramite Band’s renowned 78 rpm recording of this traditional wedding song remains one of the classics of our Armenian folklore. Thanks to my parents and grandparents, I grew up listen to it with great admiration.
Thank you for the article and for the treasured photographs.
“Tzaynernit anusbar!”
Great article…so important to preserve these memories. I’m grateful to have been part of it.
I have one of their 78s – Meg Nyvatskov & Nomal Bar. Eddie Arvanigian is the vocalist.