The legendary singer Shamiram Urshan (1938 – 2011) will be honored at the 6th Annual Mesopotamian Night concert on June 15, 2013 by presenting four of her songs for our audience. Two singers will perform Shamiram’s most popular re-arranged songs along side the 50-piece “Mesopotamia Symphony Orchestra”
Shamiram was born in 1938 to Daniel and Salatin Georgie in Tehran, Iran as the youngest of four children. She began singing and acting at the age of eight in school plays at the “Forozesh School”. She became more active in music, both singing and playing instruments. After the completion of high school, Shamiram enjoyed teaching dancing to kindergarten children and she was asked to perform at the Indian Embassy in Tehran. Shamiram demonstrated multiple talents in the performing arts. Her musical interests included music in Assyrian, Persian, Turkish, Arabic and Hindi.
At the age of 22, Shamiram married and moved to the United States with her American husband and settled in Seattle, Washington. She raised three wonderful children and conveyed to them her cultural identity. During 34 years of living in Seattle, she remained very active in her community. Teaching Ethnic dance to children and performing at social events. In 1974, she performed in an Iranian Exhibition at the Worlds Fair.
Shamiram decided to become a professional singer, once her children were well into school. Having already Assyrian songs composed by her late father Daniel Gevargis Urshan, she recorded her first album in 1978, titled Shamiram after the Assyrian legendary queen Semiramis. The album was very well received internationally which led to singing engagements around the world including Europe, North America and Australia. Her style was heavily influenced by Greek music. She released three more albums during the 1980s “Dreams,” (1982) “Ashikoota” (1984), and “Feelings” (1987). A compilation album was later released in 1995.
Shamiram moved to Los Angeles, California with her husband during her later years to be closer to her grandchildren. She had almost disappeared from the music scene until June 25, 2011, that’s when the Assyrian nation had learned about the passing of its legendary singer or as they loved to call her “yimma d’zamaryateh” (mother of female singers). She is survived by her two sons, Daniel and Shah Pick (and their families), both servicemen in the United States Army, and one daughter, Samira, her husband Zaia, and her grandson Zaia. Her funeral was held at Mar Yousip Assyrian Church of the East in San Jose, California on July 2, 2011.
Info courtesy of www.edessa.com updated by Sargon Alkurge
Info courtesy of www.edessa.com updated by Sargon Alkurge