Petar Perunović (

Serbian Cyrillic The Serbian Cyrillic alphabet (, ), also known as the Serbian script, (, ), is a standardized variation of the Cyrillic script used to write the Serbian language. It originated in medieval Serbia and was significantly reformed in the 19th cen ...

: Петар Перуновић) (1880 – 10 June 1952), nicknamed Perun, was a famous

Serbia , image_flag = Flag of Serbia.svg , national_motto = , image_coat = Coat of arms of Serbia.svg , national_anthem = () , image_map = , map_caption = Location of Serbia (gree ...

gusle The gusle () or lahuta (; related to English ''lute'') is a bowed single- stringed musical instrument (and musical style) traditionally used in the Dinarides region of Southeastern Europe (in the Balkans). The instrument is always accompanie ...

player from

Montenegro , image_flag = Flag of Montenegro.svg , image_coat = Coat of arms of Montenegro.svg , coa_size = 80 , national_motto = , national_anthem = () , image_map = Europe-Mont ...

.name="Vukman" He was also a highly decorated World War I Serbian officer. Perunović was born in 1880 at Drenovštica in

Pješivci Pješivci ( Serbian and Montenegrin: Пјешивци; ) was a historical tribe and region in Montenegro, consisting of numerous brotherhoods of mutual origin. It was one of the largest tribe from the area of Katunska nahija of Old Montenegro. ...

, Princedom of Montenegro, and at an early age displayed an exceptional skill for the

, an ancient Balkan instrument.J. Vukmanovic, ''Smrt guslara P. Perunovica'', Pobjeda, 1952. He began taking lessons, given by his mentor Ilija Kontić, at the same time that he was attending grammar school in his native village. In 1900 he left Montenegro for Šabac, Serbia, where his music instructor was R. Tolinger. He brought himself to notice in Belgrade in 1908 by performing before a colossal monument to Prince Mihailo in protest against the

Bosnian crisis The Bosnian Crisis, also known as the Annexation Crisis (, ; sh-Latn-Cyrl, Aneksiona kriza, Анексиона криза) or the First Balkan Crisis, erupted on 5 October 1908 when Austria-Hungary announced the annexation of Bosnia and Herzeg ...

. In

Negotin Negotin ( sr-cyrl, Неготин, ; ) is a town and municipality located in the Bor District of Southern and Eastern Serbia, eastern Serbia. It is situated near the borders between Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria. It is the judicial center of the Bo ...

, he graduated from Teacher's College in 1910. His teaching career was interrupted by the two Balkan wars and

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

in which he took an active part. Petar was a brave soldier and a respected Serbian officer. He fought from 1912 to 1918. On his chest, all the decorations are easily recognizable, including the star of Karađorđe with swords of the fourth order, being the most coveted. After the wars, he began to teach for a short period before leaving for the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

with the commander of the First Supernumerary Regiment,

Milan Pribićević Milan Pribićević ( sr-Cyrl, Милан Прибићевић) was a Yugoslavs, Yugoslav political activist who nominally led ORJUNA. He had three brothers, Svetozar Pribićević, Adam Pribićević and Valerijan Pribičević,, and nephew Stoyan Pri ...

, on a prolonged tour of Serbian communities there. In

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

Cleveland Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Located along the southern shore of Lake Erie, it is situated across the Canada–U.S. maritime border and approximately west of the Ohio-Pennsylvania st ...

Detroit Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...

, and

Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

, he entertained the early Serbian immigrants with patriotic songs and recorded many albums under the "Serb Gusle" label founded by Serb emigrants from Serbia, Vojvodina, Romanian Banat, Slavonia, Dalmatia, Croatia, Bosnia-Hercegovina, South Serbia, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Montenegro to America. He performed before prominent Serbs of his day, including

Nikola Tesla Nikola Tesla (;"Tesla"
. ''Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary''. ; 10 July 1856 – 7 ...

and Michael Pupin. Books and articles were written about him, he was known to all the battle-hardened volunteers and the most famous senior officers of the Serbian army. He died in his native Montenegro in 1952.

Discography

Serb epic ''Rebellion against the Dahijas/Turkish Officers'', Serb ''Gusle'' label founded by Serb emigrants in the U.S., recorded by ''Marsh Laboratories'', Chicago, 1920s.

Discography

See also

References

Further reading