Andylshchyna is a lyrical song-improvisation, which is usually composed by the performer, a unique genre in the folklore tradition of the Russian-speaking Kolyma residents. Andylshchynas are songs-monologues about love, a person’s own fate or the fate of their close ones. The Russians borrowed this genre from the Yukaghirs who lived in the area and have developed love songs-improvisations.
Andylshchynas’ texts are full of deeply personal feelings and love longing; therefore, they include a lot of diminutive words. Toponyms and names of notable places are often mentioned as well. They were poetized by artisans who constantly travelled to hunting and fishing grounds.
The intonational originality, a special manner of singing with a characteristic, sometimes guttural timbre and somewhat inaccurate fixing of tones amaze with their exotic quality. The main distinguishing feature of the andylshchyna is its unique melody.
Researchers consider the andylshchyna an original, region-specific genre. It is endemic to the Kolyma area and has absorbed many features of traditional Russian songs. It emerged at the junction of two cultures, which is even reflected in the name itself: the word andylshchyna has a Yukaghir root and a typical Russian suffix.