Alash is a trio of master throat singers (xöömeizhi) from Tuva, a tiny republic in the heart of Central Asia. Originally created by nomadic people of Central Asia, Alash’s members started training in traditional Tuvan music as children. The group first formed while students at Kyzyl Arts College. Grounded in the art of throat singing (xöömei), Alash’s s sound has been influenced by Western music trends coming out of North America. Under the guidance of Kongar-ool Ondar (best known to western audiences for his role in the film Genghis Blues), the musicians forged a new identity by introducing Tuvan-European instruments like the guitar and Russian bayan (accordion) to traditional Tuvan arrangements.

Presented by the IU Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center.