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99Urban MusicThe urban singing style in Georgia must have started with the creation of the firstcities on the territory of Georgia. Tbilisi became the capital of Georgia in the 5 th century,and from the 11 th century up to the first half of the 20 th century became the economicaland cultural capital of Transcaucasia with its multicultural and cosmopolitan population.Being on the crossroads between Asia and Europe, Tbilisi harbored an array of extremelytalented musicians from different backgrounds (mostly of Middle Eastern ethnic origin,and particularly Armenian musicians, including the famous Sayat-Nova). As a result ofthis interaction with Middle Eastern music, eastern melodies with ornamented melodiesand augmented seconds appeared in Georgian cities. Part of these traditions remainedvery close to the Middle Eastern original style and had a somewhat smaller circle ofadmirers, but part of this music became very popular among a wider range of Georgians.These Middle Eastern songs, originally monophonic melodies, became polyphonic(three-part) when performed by feasting Georgians. This style was (and still is)distributed in Tbilisi and a few other cities of eastern Georgia.Ex. 40. Patara Gogo Damekarga [I have lost a little girl]. Urban song(Transcribed by Joseph Jordania)