Andranik Ozanian - in Popular Culture

In Popular Culture

Andranik has figured prominently in Armenian literature. The Western Armenian writer Siamanto wrote a poem entitled "Andranik" in 1903 in Paris. William Saroyan, the famed Armenian American writer, wrote a story called Antranik of Armenia, which was included in his collection of short stories Inhale and Exhale (1936).

During the 1960s and 1980s Western Armenian author Souren Sahagian collected folk stories and completed a novel, "Tale about Andranik" (Ասք Անդրանիկի մասին), which was first published in Yerevan by the "Ararat"Center of Strategic Research in 2008. A number of documentaries were also produced of the Armenian commander, including, Andranik (1928), an Armena-film Studio, Paris and the first foreign full-length silent feature film on Armenian topic, directed by Asho Shakhatuni, who also played the main role.; General Andranik (1989), a documentary directed by Levon Mkrtchyan, with Khoren Abrahamyan reading the text.; and Andranik Ozanian (2010), a 53 minute-long documentary by the Public Television of Armenia.

His name has also been memorialized in songs and Andranik is one of the main figures featured in Armenian patriotic songs, mostly performed by Sahak Sahakyan, Nersik Ispiryan and Harout Pamboukjian. There are dozens of songs dedicated to him, including Like an Eagle by ashugh Sheram, 1904 and Andranik pasha (by gusan Hayrik). Andranik also features in the popular song The Bravehearts of the Caucasus (Կովկասի քաջեր, circa 1903) and other pieces of patriotic folklore.