An interview was held with R.Munkhsaikhan,Art director of Ulaanbaatar theater, who recently received the title of Honored Artist. We ‘traveled’ together through the world of the initiator of more than 30 television projects, more than 200 clips of rock and pop artists, and about 100 concerts.

- Songwriter and guitarist Uujgii wrote about you, “He has many professions such as, actor, singer, musician, poet, presenter and, director. Everything except dance and circus.” Do you agree with that?

- What do you do when you work behind the stage and screen? I even managed to connect with the circus and dance, as well. A show called “The Legend of Mountain and ,Water” was organized in the central square with 3000 contortionists to be registered in the Guinness Book of Records. In terms of dance, we can mention “Fashion” show and “Khukhuu Namjil” ballet.

- You have worked in many fields such as theater, television, ensemble and, rock culture. Have you ever thought that you should’ve specialized in only one genre?

- There has never been such a thought. Art is a beautiful and bright world. It’s never tiring, the more I work, the more I fall in love with it and it’s refreshing. When I was working at the Drama Theater, I started a program called “Triangle” with a group of friends and hosted a rock music section. At that time we used to say, “People who have a bad heart, stay away from the TV screen for a while. Now, it is a heavy rock time” and it was criticized for discriminating against the audience based on disease and age. It’s because of how I said, “Hello, young people”, instead of saying “Hello, dear audience”.

- People know you more as Rock Munkhsaikhan instead of Ravdan’s. Who gave you this name first?

- It was my nickname as a kid. When I was in the fourth grade, I formed a band with my two friends who were interested in rock and played at the Pioneer House and at school. I used to sing “Teacher Lenin”, that starts with “The wonder of the world’s colors and, the son of the sun that brightens the city.” The music champions of that time rated us as “These three boys are cute”. I didn’t give up rock music even when I studied acting and directing at the USSR University of Theater and Arts. When I was back to Mongolia, I wanted to form a rock band, and I got to this point by using the name Rock to distinguish myself from others. Back when people generally wore draped coats and marmoset hats, people were very interested in talking about rock music when a man wearing a leather jacket and a bandana and thought I was dumb. It was a time when the word rock sounded like bourgeois propaganda. Old people would hit, saying “What an ugly thing”, when wearing a scarf with a skull on the head. So, I would explain that a skull prevents all bad things. Motorcyclists use a lot of things with a skull to prevent accidents.

- Did your parents forbid you to listen to rock music when you were young?

- I have two brothers and two sisters, and I’m a middle child. My father Ravdan, a journalist, published “Truth” newspaper and later “Culture” magazine. My mother is a doctor. I realized how much they loved, understood, and supported me after they passed away. Everyone realizes later and regrets the past. When I went to her work in a metal fit, I could see that she was proud of me when she said, “He wears such strange clothes and sings. I don't know, I don't understand.” Students studying in Russia, the Czech Republic, and Poland are not as simple as Vietnamese students, and they immediately assimilate into the culture of their respective countries. When my younger siblings saw the students from the Czech Republic walking around in our camp dressed as punks, they said, “What a fool,” and my mother replied, “What are you talking about, when young people with such good spirits are walking around?” My mother was such a sensitive person. My mother and grandmother also sang very well. They were famous singers in their homeland. The middle child in the family is very responsible. I did all the housework. At home, I talked a lot with my father and helped my mother. They said, “You’re become more stupid if you keep watching TV.” However, recently, my friend said that his child is stupid because he doesn't watch TV. This is how society evolves.

- Is there a song that can be known as your song?

- “Come on and get up” and the metal song “Nightmare”. People didn’t understand when I sang in the 1980s, “I went to the funeral home, girl, you have come back to life, you are bleeding from your nose and mouth, and you look strange and scary.” It means that if you don't pray to God, the devil will take you. For singing such songs and talking about rock, I was called a crazy man.

- Is there a video of you rocking out?

- On the 25th anniversary of the “Soyol Erdene” band, I performed the metal music on stage. D.Ukhnaa said, “I have a video of you lying on the ground playing the guitar, take it.” I haven’t got it yet. Now people understand rock music. At that time, leather clothes look scary if they are equipped. I was called to the Ministry of Public Security and received a warning for spreading bourgeois ideology. But now, women’s clothes and bag accessories have become like that and it is common.

- People of your generation always say, “It was very beautiful in our time.” Was it really that beautiful compared to our time?

- Everyone’s childhood and youth are beautiful. Apart from that, even in our time, society was difficult. It’s difficult, but it’s a memory of my youth, so it feels good. When I graduated from school number 33, everyone was intellectuals’ children, except one worker’s child. When I went to my friend’s home, they had milk tea and butter bread, and everyone had a normal life. It was even more difficult in the early 1990s. Some people don't like to remember the time when they first tried Coca-Cola, saved the can and added sugar, and collected cigarette boxes and stuck them on the wall. To say they were born rich. In fact, there was no such society. There was only a can of Russian coffee called “Black”. But they would say, I grew up drinking coffee, I know the history and culture of coffee very well, because my grandfather was a gentleman. Now the news channel has expanded, you can know the weather for the week when you travel to the countryside, and everything is on the mobile phone. If you lose your mobile phone, it’s like missing an important part of your life. However, some of the small towns in Russia that I visited while studying in the 1980s are still primitive, underdeveloped, and the clothes and speech are the same. Our country has a relatively small population, information is wide, all provinces and soums have internet, so culture is spreading quickly. We like to be cultured, ourselves. They are worried about throwing garbage on the street.

- Were you interested in small business at that time?

- I was working on my art. The population of Ulaanbaatar city was more than 420,000 when the “MS rock” club was founded and started selling music. I thought young people aged 18 to 26, who came from the countryside to study, will become very interested in rock music when they moved to the city, and would want to completely “take over” the city, but it didn’t happen as expected. When they come to the city, they miss home and starts listening to folk songs.

- Do you think the interests of young people always change?

- When I worked for a decade at “Boroldoi” studio and “G Entertainment”, I made many clips of Mongolian rock and pop stars. At that time, the music video was made like a script, and the audience were interested. However, now, such clips are less watched. The new generation is not interested in clips of events.

- How would you define the characteristics of the mentality of rock music fans?

- Rock music is very difficult to listen to and not easy to understand. Children who listen to rock have a unique way of thinking, are energetic and intellectuals. They are not light and, they are well-mannered. The same is true abroad. Christians sing a lot of rock. It is understood that chanting witchcraft is against one’s religion. However, there is a way to pray “Oh my God” when singing to the devil.

- People thrive on memories. What is the work that was created exactly according to your wishes and gives you a beautiful feeling to refresh yourself just by thinking about it?

- Artists love all their work and, it’s a part of themselves, so they won’t be rejected. Humanity imagines beauty as a young, half-naked woman. Therefore, art is measured in short periods of affection, interest, and respect. Picasso said, “I have painted for 40 years and I have just painted you.” So, art is hard.

- In that harsh world, your generation was quite greedy for alcohol. But what about you?

- It’s more than greed. Since the 1990s, during the period of social change, there have been few people who didn’t drink alcohol. The influence of the Russians was great. Now, on the contrary, young people refuse alcohol. Gone are the days when a career was created after one or two drinks. It means that the era of engaged young men is over.

- You once said, “Time is wearing me down, and I am also racing against time.” If you want to visit your favorite time, at what era would you like to visit?

- Of course, childhood. It’s a beautiful time, without taking any responsibility, and just being naive. It is not important to recognize life, but it is good that there is no measure of time. With age comes more responsibilities and time flies. But it is not bad compared to the “running” cities of the world. They keep running until they get to one place and the day ends. We at least are going to two places.

- The more you talk, the more melodious you are. I didn’t think you would be like it since you are called “rock monster” and there are talks of angry and quarrelsome characteristic of directors.

- It seems that when I hosted many programs such as cars, motorcycles, and rock music, my screen image was cruel. People say that I am very different from myself on TV, and that I am gentle. Even behind the scenes, I want to communicate with people with respect and create beautiful works. In other countries they respect each other, always hug, say nice words and praise each other, and then make beautiful works. On the contrary, we don’t go beyond grinding the table, shouting, getting upset, and adding stress to each other. I think that the more we respect each other, the more beautiful art will be born. Of course, there will be contradictions. That is the work process. Other than that, it is not a reason to insult anyone.