Today, national khoomeizhi Khaigal-ool Khovalyg, solist of the Huun-Huur-Tu ensemble torns 50. He has been described as the “engine driver” when the American musicologist Ted Levin, comparing “Huun-Huur-Tu” to a train, evaluated the different functions of the musicians in the group. He is a native of one of the most “musical” places of Tuva – Dzun-Khemchik sovkhoz “Iskra” ( many other khoomeizhis are from this place, including Oleg Kuular of “Shu-de”). Kaigal-ool started his professional career in 1979 as a member of vocal-instrumental ensemble “Ayan”; in those years, the artistic programs for this ensemble were prepared in Leningrad.

Today, National khoomeizhi of Tuva, one of the founders of world-famous group “Huun-Huur-Tu”, Kaigal-ool Khovalyg, turns 50. Only superlatives can do justice to his characterization. Talented singer, unique musician, wise friend, a wonderful family man, he is well known in many countries of the world, and of his admirers and friends there are literally legions. But the most important aspect is thatr he truly is a national singer. In every nation, singers such as him can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Listening to them, old men and children cry; grown women and young girls sigh; rulers admit the power the singer has over them, and even the strongest ones tremble…