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The Philosophy of Love in Sayat Nova's Lyrics

Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This work examines the central theme of the lyric poetry of the 18th-century Armenian poet-ashugh Sayat-Nova – love – revealing its multifaceted manifestations and philosophical depth. The theme of love is analyzed as the central axis of Sayat-Nova's entire creative heritage, as noted by Hovhannes Tumanyan, who characterized him as a "magnificent lover" and an "eternal fiery soul." The study discusses various manifestations of love, ranging from worldly emotions and descriptions of the beloved woman's physical beauty ("Angin akn vret sharats" / "Precious Gem Strung on You," "Patkirkd ghalamov kashats" / "Your Image Drawn with a Pen") to mystical interpretations of divine love and the influence of Sufi mysticism ("Dun en hurin is" / "You Are That Houri"). Key taghs (poems/songs) are analyzed, revealing the three-stage perception of love (worldly, spiritual, mystical union) and the features of the artistic system (comparisons, metaphors, symbols – e.g., "Ashkharhə tsov, du mejə nav" / "The World is a Sea, You are a Ship Within It"). Special attention is also paid to the tragic aspect of love, particularly the poet's possible romance with Princess Anna Batonishvili, which is reflected in motifs of suffering ("Baghn blbulov ltsvil e" / "The Garden is Filled with Nightingales"), impossibility ("Dun me takavor is, yis me kheghch dervish" / "You are a King, I am a Poor Dervish"), and the irresistible power of love ("Shat sirun is" / "You Are Very Beautiful").
DOI: 10.24234/journalforarmenianstudies.v2i69.172
Language: English
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4414259656
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