Zacharia Paliashvili, born Zacharia Petres dze Paliashvili on August 16, 1871, in Kutaisi, Kutais Governorate, Russian Empire, was a prominent Georgian composer and a pivotal figure in the development of Georgian classical music. He was the third child in a large family of eighteen children, with his parents, Petre Ivanes dze Paliashvili and Maria Pavles asuli Mesarkishvili, fostering a musically inclined environment despite not being professional musicians themselves.

Paliashvili's early exposure to music came through his participation in the church choir, where he developed a keen ear for music. His eldest brother, Ivane (Vano) Paliashvili, also showcased significant musical talent and became a distinguished conductor. This familial environment nurtured Zacharia's musical abilities from a young age.

Zacharia Paliashvili is celebrated for his unique fusion of Georgian folk songs and narratives with the Romantic classical traditions of the 19th century. He founded the Georgian Philharmonic Society and served as the head of the Tbilisi State Conservatoire. His contributions to music were so esteemed that the Georgian National Opera and Ballet Theater of Tbilisi was named in his honor in 1937.

Among his most renowned works are his operas, including "Abesalom da Eteri," "Daisi," and "Latavra," which have become staples of Georgian cultural heritage. Additionally, his compositions for symphony orchestra, such as the "Georgian Suite on Folk Themes," highlight his versatility as a composer. Notably, Paliashvili's music forms the basis of the National Anthem of Georgia.

Zacharia Paliashvili passed away on October 6, 1933, in Tiflis, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union (now Tbilisi, Georgia), leaving behind a lasting legacy as a foundational figure in Georgian classical music.