Manana Caparidze was born on December 28, 1978, in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. She stepped onto the stage very early, at just five years old, and performed as a soloist in popular children’s groups like “Toliya” and “Chiora.” Alongside her regular school, she studied in the vocal department at the Tbilisi Art Gymnasium, building a strong musical base from a young age.
Later, between 1995 and 2000, she continued her education at the Tbilisi branch of the German Academy of Modern Arts, Jazz and Show Business, focusing on vocals. During those years, she also started getting recognition. In 1996, she became the winner of the “Crystal Fir Tree” young performers contest in Borjomi, and a year later, she was awarded at the “Crystal Note” international competition in Moscow. She performs songs in Azerbaijani, Russian, Georgian, and English, showing her wide range.
At the end of 1998, Manana moved to Baku, and this is where her singing career truly began. In early 2000, she released her first album, “Sene verdim ureyimi.” Around the same time, she took part in many international competitions. In 1999, she won the Grand Prix at the “Voice of Asia” festival in Alma-Ata and also became the winner of the “Slavyanski Bazaar” festival in Ukraine. Soon after, she was awarded at the “UNIVERSTALENT – 2000” festival in Prague, and in 2000, she received another Grand Prix at the “Golden Voice of Asia” contest in Shanghai. In 2001, she won the “Shire Krug” television music competition in Moscow. Since 2015, she has been a judge on “Ses Azərbaycan,” the local version of The Voice.
Manana has given two solo concerts in Azerbaijan. The first one took place in March 2000 at the Heydar Aliyev Palace, and the second in 2002 at the “Shahriyar” concert hall. She has also performed in several European countries with her concert programs.
In her personal life, she got married in early 2008. Her husband, Georgi Qabalev, is a businessman involved in the hotel business in Georgia, although they mainly live in Baku. They have two children, Elizabet and David, who have been living in Georgia since last year.
Manana has shared that her children go to school there. Her daughter Elizabet is older, and her son David is younger. Even though she lives in Baku, they see each other often, either when the children come to Baku or when she travels to Georgia. Both of them are involved in music, though she sees it more as a way to expand their worldview. If they have talent, she believes they should understand music deeply. Her son, who is 9 years old, is also active in sports and does very well at school. Her daughter, who is 15, is also an excellent student and speaks English. She has many achievements and dreams of becoming a diplomat. At the same time, she sings and dances, and sees herself in many fields except medicine — from economics and management to law and diplomacy. As parents, they do not rush her choice, focusing instead on her being hardworking and successful. Both children often say they want to live in a way that makes their parents proud.
She has been living in Azerbaijan for 28 years now. Before coming, she didn’t know much about the country. The only singer she knew was Zeyneb Khanlarova, whose songs her father and grandfather used to listen to at home. As a child, she would hum those songs and dreamed of becoming a singer.
She first became known through the “Kinoklub” program. The show’s host, Etibar Babayev, noticed her voice and invited her to take part. At that time, she was around 16–17 years old and did not understand the Azerbaijani language at all. During the program, she would clap when others clapped and laugh when they laughed. Later, she hired a teacher but also made extra effort by communicating with people as much as possible. She even asked others to speak to her in Azerbaijani instead of Russian. She spent her days reading newspapers and books. Over time, she learned the language well. Now she says she is no longer a guest, but feels like an Azerbaijani. Her home is here, and even when she goes to Georgia, she returns to Baku. When she appears on programs there, she represents Azerbaijan, greets people in Azerbaijani, and sings in this language.
On November 18, Manana lost her mother, Makvala, which deeply affected her. In her final message, she described her as her beloved and irreplaceable mother, her guardian angel, who left her kindness, prayers, and love behind. She shared her gratitude for everything her mother gave her and wrote that she will always carry her in her heart, soul, and prayers.
