In 1992 Kaigal-ool Khovalyg, Alexander Bapa, his brother Sayan Bapa, and Albert Kuvezin founded the quartet Kungurtuk, as a means of concentrating on the presentation of traditional songs of their homeland. The musicians later decided to rename the ensemble Huun-Huur-Tu. After the first album 60 Horses in my Herd (1993), Kuvezin left the band to form the more rock-oriented Yat-Kha. Kuvezin was replaced by Anatoli Kuular, who had previously worked with Khovalyg and Kongar-ool Ondar as part of the Tuva Ensemble. In 1995, Alexander Bapa, who had produced the first two albums, departed the band to pursue production as a full-time career. He was replaced by Alexei Saryglar. In 2003 Kuular quit the band and was replaced by Andrey Mongush.
The name Huun-Huur-Tu (sometimes spelled without hyphens) translates literally to "Sun Propeller," a Tuvan term referring to the special kind of light you can see streaming down through the clouds at dawn or down through densely leaved trees at noon.
The most distinctive characteristic of Huun Huur Tu's music is throat singing, in which the singers sing both the note (drone) and the drone's overtone(s), thus producing two or three notes simultaneously. The overtone may sound like a flute, whistle or bird, but is solely a product of the human voice.
The group primarily uses native Tuvan instruments such as the igil, khomus (Tuvan jaw harp), doshpuluur, and dünggür (shaman drum). However, in recent years, the group has begun to selectively incorporate western instruments, such as the guitar. While the thrust of Huun Huur Tu's music is fundamentally indigenous Tuvan folk music, they also experiment with incorporating not only Western instruments, but electronic music as well.
Their website is http://www.hhtmusic.com
Dyngyldai
Huun-Huur-Tu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Devirzhitken tenek khejil, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
Dege bashtyg ezeŋgizin, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
Kizhee dögeer anchyg khejil, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
Ooŋ-bile meni kanchaar, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
Ornaar eves, soluur eves, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
Ottuk-bile bizhek bolza, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
Seeŋ-bile meni kanchaar, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
Seliir eves, septeer eves, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
Serge kezhi choorgan bolza, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
Seleej ertik septeej ertik, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
Deer öŋnüg bora mungash, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
Devirzhitken tenek khejil, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
Dege bashtyg ezeŋgizin, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
Kizhee dögeer anchyg khejil, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
"Dyngyldai" is a hauntingly beautiful song by the Tuvan throat-singing band Huun-Huur-Tu. Tuvan throat-singing is a unique style of singing that involves creating multiple notes simultaneously using the throat, mouth, and diaphragm. The song's lyrics are in the Tuvan language and reflect the traditional nomadic way of life of the Tuvan people.
The lyrics of "Dyngyldai" describe the beauty of nature and the Tuvan people's intimate connection with it. The first verse talks about the deer grazing on the grass and the wind blowing gently, while the second verse mentions the sound of raindrops and thunderstorm. The third verse invokes the image of a river flowing peacefully and the fourth verse talks about how the moon and the stars light up the night sky.
The chorus of the song ("oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj") is a repeated phrase that doesn't have a direct translation in English. However, it is believed to represent a deep emotional feeling or state that is difficult to express in words.
Overall, "Dyngyldai" is a tribute to the natural world and the role it plays in the Tuvan people's lives. The song's melody and the haunting quality of the throat-singing enhance the emotional impact of the lyrics, making it a powerful piece of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Deer öŋnüg bora mungash, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
The mountain sheep is breathing in the crisp morning air, singing with the sound of his throat, a powerful, throat singing technique.
Devirzhitken tenek khejil, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
The trees are whispering in the wind, singing with the sound of the leaves, a beautiful, natural chorus.
Dege bashtyg ezeŋgizin, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
The river is flowing steadily, singing with the sound of the water, a peaceful, calming melody.
Kizhee dögeer anchyg khejil, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
The birds are chirping happily, singing with the sound of their beaks, a cheerful, joyful symphony.
Ooŋ-bile meni kanchaar, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
I will join in with my throat singing, mimicking the natural sounds around me, in harmony with nature.
Ornaar eves, soluur eves, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
I will use the technique of khoomei, imitating the sound of the wind and the grass, creating a surreal and otherworldly atmosphere.
Ottuk-bile bizhek bolza, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
I will use the technique of sygyt, mimicking the sound of a horse galloping, evoking images of the vast steppes and nomadic lifestyle.
Ornaaj ertik solaaj ertik, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
I will vary the pitch and tone of my throat singing, creating a diverse and rich sonic landscape.
Seeŋ-bile meni kanchaar, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
I will continue to use my throat singing, however, this time mimicking the sound of water and waves, adding a new dimension to the soundscape.
Seliir eves, septeer eves, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
I will use the techniques of kargyraa and ezengileer, singing with the sounds of deep growls and high-pitched whistles, adding a raw and primal element to the music.
Serge kezhi choorgan bolza, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
I will use the technique of borbangnadyr, mimicking the sound of a bull or yak, creating a powerful and imposing sound.
Seleej ertik septeej ertik, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
I will again vary the pitch and tone of my throat singing, adding intricate layers and textures to the overall sound.
Deer öŋnüg bora mungash, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
I will finish my song with a deep and resonant note, drawing from the natural surroundings and evoking a sense of peace and connectedness with nature.
Devirzhitken tenek khejil, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
The trees, the river, the birds, and the mountain sheep all join in with my song, creating a beautiful and synergistic harmony.
Dege bashtyg ezeŋgizin, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
The natural world has become a part of my song, and I have become a part of the natural world, creating a profound and immersive musical experience.
Kizhee dögeer anchyg khejil, oo dyŋgyl, dyŋgyldaj
The birds continue to chirp happily, as my song comes to an end, leaving behind a sense of peace and tranquility in their wake.
Writer(s): Kaigal-ool Khovalyg
Contributed by Jackson W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Smiljana
on Saryglarlar
by the Tambourine Boulders.
Dismounted people get held up,
because of the beauty of Saryglarlar maidens.
Travelers slow down by the Shangyr place.
They are slowed down
by the beauty of Saryglarlar maidens.
Noble bandits at the amazing Khovuzhuk place.
The Part of my soul it's this song
Hoping to Learn
on Exile's Song
I appreciate the translation very much, thank you. It’s been hard to find any english lyrics.