Vladimir Khatizovich Baragun(ov) (Бэрэгъун Владимир) (31 December 1939 - 13 October 1997), Kabardian singer, musicologist, People’s Artist of the Kabardino-Balkar ASSR (1981), Honoured Cultural Worker of the Russian Federation (1996), and Laureate of the State Prize of the Kabardino-Balkar Republic. In 1969 he graduated from the Sobinov State Conservatory in Saratov. From 1969 to 1977 he was a soloist for the Kabardino-Balkar Theatre. He sang 19 opera-roles. He recorded hundreds of songs, ballades, romances for radio and television and on disc. He was awarded the ‘Golden Hatchet’ (highest grade) at the International Folklore Festival in Poland. He was one of the authors of the 3-volume ‘National Songs and Instrumental Works of the Circassians’, which has become a classic of Circassian musical folkloristics. Soloist and artistic director between 1977 and 1987 at the Kabardino-Balkar State Philharmonia, he served as its director between 1987 and 1997. He was one of the best singers of the 1970s and 80s in Circassia. Although he recorded many fine and memorable traditional and modern songs, his powerful operatic voice was best suited to ancient anthems.
He documented and recorded a number of Pantheonic chants, including ‘Mezguashhe’ («Мэзгуащэ»; ‘Forest-Lady’). His wide Nart repertoire included an emotive rendering of ‘Nartizch Wered’ («Нартыжь Уэрэд»; ‘Song of the Ancient Narts’), which causes tingling sensations in the back of one’s head, ‘Ashemez yi Pshinalhe’ («Ашэмэз и пшыналъэ»; ‘Ashemez’s Melody’), ‘Badinoque yi Pshinalhe’ («Бэдынокъуэ и пшыналъэ»; ‘Badinoque’s Melody’), ‘Sosrique Maf’e Qeih’ («Сосрыкъуэ МафIэ Къехь»; ‘Sosrique Fetches Fire’), and many others. His heroic/historical repertory included ‘Senjeley yi Wered’ («Сэнджэлей и уэрэд»; ‘The Song of Prince Sanjalay’), in which he evokes the heroism of the mediæval prince-warrior.