Sangadzhi-Garya says that in his youth Kalmyks celebrated the same holidays as they do now, including Tsagan Sar and Zul, during which people paid each other visits and had fun. Kalmyks were also very fond of nyar (celebrations). In his native village there was a small cultural club where people gathered in the evening. After work, people played on the dombra and the Saratov accordion and sang songs at this club. At the end of the interview Sangadzhi-Garya plays on the harmonica.