Pranas Puskunigis was a Lithuanian musician, one of the first and most influential proponents of kankles.
10 Facts About Pranas Puskunigis
1.
2.
Pranas Puskunigis laid the groundwork for kankles education and adapted numerous folk and professional songs to the instrument, but did not attempt to modify its design.
3.
Pranas Puskunigis's father was well respected in the community and acted as a priest in an emergency.
4.
Pranas Puskunigis learned to play kankles from his uncle, got introduced to a violin and clarinet in Veiveriai.
5.
Pranas Puskunigis had a small farm of 3.36 hectares, but devoted his time and energy to the music.
6.
Pranas Puskunigis became a church organist and organized an ensemble of kankles players, mostly from the students at the Veiveriai Teachers' Seminary.
7.
Pranas Puskunigis manufactured numerous kankles that had 11 or 12 strings.
8.
Pranas Puskunigis gathered a group of veterans of the Lithuanian Wars of Independence and experienced players from Skriaudziai which debuted in May 1923 but due to conflicts the project was abandoned.
9.
Pranas Puskunigis was then invited by a school in Sanciai where he trained about 60 students.
10.
In June 1925, Pranas Puskunigis was one of the founders of the Kankles Players' Society, chaired by Jonas Bendorius and Juozas Tallat-Kelpsa.