Rubosh: `I always want to sing happy songs’
The late Varduhi Vardanyan’s son takes the stage

sh-i-always-want-to-sing-happy-songs
by Lilit Grigoryan
Published: Saturday May 02, 2009

Yerevan – The year is 2007. The place is the Opera and Ballet State
Theater.

It is the memorial for singer Varduhi Vardanyan. Singers and friends
alike are ascending onto the stage; all of them have so much to say
about "Tutush," as she was affectionately called, the "dove of peace"
in Armenian show business. Aside from friends and acquaintances, there
is one more person in the hall; a piece of the singer’s heart and
soul, her son, Ruben. That was the first day that he went on
stage. Perhaps it was at that moment that he realized that the stage
was his.

Rubosh, as he is called, is already 11 years old. Like other children
his age, he goes to school, plays sports, and manages to find time to
hang out with his friends and his little cousin. Of course, playing
computer games is also a part of his day. But aside from his simple
childhood activities and interests, he has a very big and cherished
dream.

"More than anything, I love to sing. My greatest dream is to one day
become a singer, perform on great stages, and be well known like my
mother. I don’t like slow songs. Presently, I have some songs and they
are all upbeat. I have decided to always sing happy and upbeat
songs. I am going to do everything to realize my dream," Rubosh
states.

For the past three years, the aspiring singer has been attending the
Sayat Nova School of Music, where he hopes to continue at the State
Music Theater. Rubosh has already performed at several concerts.

"I love to play the piano. I don’t play all day long, but I do
practice a lot. I have already given a piano recital. In November I
took part in a charity concert for disabled children. I really enjoy
being on stage, especially when I perform with the hip hop dance
group. I always perform with them. They are my good friends," Rubosh
explains.

According to the young singer, he enjoys participating in all
concerts, but for him the greatest experience was being at the
National Music Awards. "I was so happy that I was going to be able to
perform the song "Du Myakn Es" at the music awards. It was a great
concert, and my piece went over very well.

"I want to tell a story about this song. [Composer/singer] Arsen gave
me the song as a gift. Then it turned out that the song had somehow
been erased from his computer. We went to his house only a few days
before the awards ceremony, to prepare it again. Oh, and I forgot to
say that Vahram Petrossian wrote the lyrics," Rubosh smiles.

His first video clip, "Parin e Hakhtum" is about goodness winning; a
mother’s love; warmth; the dream-world of the young singer and the
person who was always by his side, his most cherished mother. This was
his first video clip, but Rubosh still has much more to do.

"I was only 7 years old at the time. But I remember the filming very
well. I was with my mother, and it wasn’t difficult at all. It was
interesting to act in it, because it was my first time, and everything
was new and unfamiliar. I am now getting ready to shoot a new video
clip. We haven’t decided for which song yet, but I think it will be
good," he explains.

Schools days are full of mischief and craziness

"I love school. It’s fun. My favorite subject is geography. It is very
interesting because you learn about new countries. Every once in a
while, I imagine being in the country we are learning about. I also
like English.

When we were smaller, we always used to fight so our teachers would
punish us and not let us take part in class. To be honest, that never
really made us sad. Now we are older, we don’t fight as much. But let
me tell you a story. One of the girls in our class exchanged the chalk
with gum. The teacher at first didn’t realize that a switch had
happened, only when she went to write on the chalkboard did she
realize it. We laughed so hard, and at the end, we were all punished,"
Rubosh says with a smile.

"I have a lot of friends from my neighborhood and from school. We like
to hang out and play. We can spend hours in front of the computer. But
we also like to play outside. I have so, so many friends. Do you want
me to list them? For example, Tigran… oh, but, you don’t even know
them," he smiles innocently.

"When I was little I used to love Van Dam movies. I used to watch them
all day long. I wanted to be strong and confident like he was. I now
go to Gor Vartanyan’s school for karate. When I grow up, I want to be
very strong and not be afraid of anyone.

"A sword in your hand, take a step with confidence,
My love with accompany you everywhere..
I am with you every second,

And always protecting you…"
The lyrics from a familiar song that have perhaps become the guiding
light and strength for the young singer.