Born on November 25, 1965, in Mestia, Georgia, he grew up in a family deeply rooted in the tradition of Svan singing, with his father, Islam Pilpani, leading the renowned “RIHO” choir from 1967 to 2017. Under his father’s guidance, he inherited the rich heritage of Svan songs.

In 1995, he became the head of the Department of Culture in Mestia and joined “RIHO” as a soloist. A year later, he founded the children’s ensemble “TETNULDI,” which toured Germany in 1997. Since 2017, he has been leading “RIHO” and, since 2015, directing the “Mestia Folklore School” for young singers aged 6 to 18.

Under his leadership, “RIHO” has performed internationally in Paris, Brussels, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Lithuania, bringing the unique sound of Svan polyphony to global audiences. In addition to his work with the ensemble, he has conducted masterclasses on Svan songs in Paris (2013, 2023) and Wrocław (2024) and has collaborated with the Grotowski Institute and Teatr ZAR on several occasions.

He is married to Manoni Khergiani, and they have three children: Anano (25), Beshken (23), and Eka (18). Currently, he continues his work as the leader of “RIHO” and the Mestia Folklore School, dedicated to preserving and sharing the beauty of Svan musical traditions.