Graduates of the Georgian Technical University have made distinguished contributions to various fields of Georgian art and to the world of sports. Many prominent figures in culture and sports have achieved international recognition and reached the highest levels of accomplishment.
The Georgian Polytechnic Institute established and actively supported a number of artistic groups, including the student miniature theater “SMETI,” a drama ensemble, popular music and vocal ensembles, a symphony orchestra, a Georgian folk dance studio, a folklore ensemble, the “Shvidkatsa,” and a folk-instrument trio.
The Georgian Polytechnic Institute hosted a student folk theater, a men’s folk choir, a popular music orchestra, a jazz quartet, drama circles, faculty ensembles, agitprop performance brigades, vocal groups, public-speaking and recitation circles, as well as groups for young artists, literature and poetry enthusiasts, and aspiring young creators.
In the 1960s, the Georgian Polytechnic Institute was one of the principal centers of contemporary music in Tbilisi, including pop, jazz, and beat music, and it was around the institute that the youth music movement developed.
The orchestra of the Georgian Polytechnic Institute played an important role in the early career of Tengiz Chantladze, a prominent Georgian actor, People’s Artist of Georgia, humorist, and artistic director of the Theater of Satire. He believed that “the orchestra of the Georgian Polytechnic Institute laid the foundation for contemporary Georgian popular music.”
In 2015, a star honoring the orchestra of the Georgian Technical University, commonly known as the “GPEI Orchestra,” was unveiled in front of the Grand Concert Hall.
The greatest star in the history of the Georgian stage began her stage career in 1956 with the Georgian Technical University’s popular music orchestra.
“Perhaps I would have become a singer anyway, but my first taste of success and the joy it brought me will always be associated with this orchestra.”
The orchestra of the Georgian Polytechnic Institute played a decisive role in shaping the artistic career of Vakhtang (Buba) Kikabidze, People’s Artist of Georgia:
“Had it not been for the Georgian Polytechnic Institute’s popular music orchestra, my life would have taken a different course.”
Robert Bardzimashvili, vocalist, educator, People’s Artist of the Georgian SSR
Giuli Chokheli, the first female jazz singer in the Soviet Union, Honored Artist of the Georgian SSR
Irma Sokhadze, vocalist, composer, Honored Artist of the Georgian SSR
The higher education institution gained considerable popularity through the “Blue Trio,” the “Vocal Trio,” the “Youth Trio,” the Bzvanelli Quartet, and other ensembles.
After the Second World War, jazz was officially discouraged in the Soviet Union. Although jazz orchestras were established, none achieved the recognition attained by the “GPEI Quartet.” Its members were Guram Bzvanelli, Tamaz Tsintsadze, Guram Bakuradze, and Shota Kharabadze. Their repertoire consisted not of American jazz, but primarily of original compositions based on Georgian themes.
From 1956 onward, Nani Bregvadze also joined their ranks. The “GPEI” student orchestra and quartet surpassed all other youth ensembles in the Soviet Union.
By the second half of the 1950s, they had become so popular that when the Georgian performers visited Moscow, concert halls were packed to capacity, and their performances were guarded by mounted police.
Talented and creative individuals have always received strong support from the leadership of the higher education institution. This remains the case today, as the university continues to uphold this tradition.
Began her stage career in 1956 with the Georgian Polytechnic Institute’s popular music orchestra.
Laureate of the Sixth World Festival of Youth and Students (1957) in Moscow, where she performed the song “I Extinguished the Candle,” composed by Guram Bzvanelli to lyrics by Ioseb Grishashvili.
She was a soloist with the Georgian State Popular Music Orchestra “Rero.”
From 1964, she performed with the vocal-instrumental ensemble “Orera.”
From 1980, she began giving solo concerts.
She was awarded the Order of Honor for her outstanding contribution to the development of Georgian popular vocal music.
Stars bearing Nani Bregvadze’s name have been unveiled in Tbilisi, Moscow, and Baku.
At the age of four, she became a soloist with the Georgian Polytechnic Institute’s big band, and at the age of eight, a soloist with the Georgian State Orchestra “Rero.”
In the 1970s, she returned to the “GPEI” orchestra and successfully participated in its concerts and tours both in Georgia and abroad.
She is an Honored Artist of Georgia and a laureate of numerous television, popular music, and international jazz festivals. She is also the author of approximately 100 popular children’s songs, as well as poems, three children’s musicals, and a mono-opera.
On April 15, 2014, a star honoring Irma Sokhadze was unveiled in front of the Tbilisi Grand Concert Hall.
He served as Chairman of the Creative Union of Cinematographers of Georgia and was a member of the Parliament of Georgia for four terms (1992–2008).
He was a laureate of numerous awards and a recipient of the Golden Order of St. George, the highest distinction of the Georgian Orthodox Church. He was a People’s Artist of Georgia and the Soviet Union and was honored with the title “Priest of Art.”
In 2016, a star honoring Eldar Shengelaia was unveiled in front of the Rustaveli Cinema.
In 1970, while studying at the Georgian Polytechnic Institute, Davit Abesadze, Malkhaz Tavartkiladze, and Tamaz Seperteladze formed the vocal ensemble “The Blue Trio.”
A star honoring the trio was unveiled in 2009 in front of the Tbilisi Grand Concert Hall.
While studying at the institute, he was an actor in the student theater and an assistant director. Since 1975, he has served as the principal director of the Georgian Technical University Theater. He is a laureate of numerous international festivals and has received awards for outstanding directing.
While studying at the Georgian Polytechnic Institute, he established a film enthusiasts’ section. He served as Executive Secretary of the Republic’s Defense Council, an aide to the President, an adviser to a ministry, and Secretary of the Regional Committee of South Ossetia. He was a participant in the War in Abkhazia.
Together with Jemal Sukhishvili and Merab Makharadze, he formed a vocal trio. He was later invited to join the dance ensemble of Nino Ramishvili and Iliko Sukhishvili. He served as Deputy Chairman of the Joint Trade Union Committee of the Georgian Polytechnic Institute.
He was a soloist with the GPEI Orchestra and founded the professional vocal-instrumental ensembles “Orera” and “VIA 75.” From 1985, he led the group “Georgia” and the children’s vocal-instrumental ensemble “Lakhti.” He also founded a school-studio bearing the same name. He was awarded the titles of People’s Artist and Honored Artist of Georgia.
Soloist with the institute’s popular music orchestra; she participated in concert tours throughout Georgia, as well as in Moscow and Leningrad. In 1969, at the All-Union Festival in Chelyabinsk, she won First Prize and was awarded the honorary title of Laureate.
Singer, poet, and Honored Artist of Georgia. Together with Tamaz Tsintsadze, Guram Bakuradze, and Shota Kharabadze, he formed a vocal quartet with the Georgian Polytechnic Institute’s popular music orchestra. The quartet soon gained popularity beyond Tbilisi, achieving nationwide recognition throughout the Soviet Union. In 1957, the quartet became a laureate at the Sixth World Festival of Youth and Students in Moscow. He served as director of the Third Music College of Tbilisi and was a member of the Union of Composers. He was an Honored Artist of Georgia and a recipient of the Medal of Devotion to Tbilisi. On June 22, 2015, a star honoring Guram Bzvanelli was unveiled in front of the Tbilisi Grand Concert Hall.
She performed with the orchestra of the Tbilisi Polytechnic Institute, conducted by Ioseb Tugushi. From 1964, she was a soloist with the Georgian Philharmonic and the Georgian State Popular Music Orchestra “Rero.” On November 29, 2014, a star honoring Eter Kakulia was unveiled in front of the Tbilisi Philharmonic.
Founder and artistic director of the Georgian Polytechnic Institute’s amateur theater “SMETI”; laureate of the Sixth International Student Festival (1967), author of several books, and recipient of state awards. In 1988, he was awarded the title of People’s Artist of Georgia.
Founder and artistic director of the Georgian Polytechnic Institute’s Men’s Choir; multiple laureate of republican and All-Union festivals and recipient of the Komsomol Prize of Georgia.
Guitarist with the Georgian Polytechnic Institute’s popular music orchestra; soloist with the vocal-instrumental trio “Lile” and the ensemble “Iveria”; General Director of the “Lomisi” Show Business Center.
