Tërshana was born on 1 June 1949 in Shkodër, under the then communist regime. His foray into music would start from a young age singing in competitions in Shkodër and Tirana.[3]
His first entry in Festivali i Këngës was in its fourth edition in 1965, where he would win first prize performing "Të dua o det", a song composed by Tonin Harapi with lyrics from Mark Gurakuqi.[4] After this win, he was barred from participating in the event in the future, his return being allowed only after an intervention from Petrit Dume.[5]
He returned in 1969 and would go on to participate in 18 different editions of the festival, performing 23 different songs and winning on 4 occasions (1965, 1971, 1972 and 1983).[6][7]
Among his most famous body of work are Të dua o det ("I Love You o Sea"), Kënga e nënës ("Mother's Song"), Kur vjen pranvera ("When Spring Comes"), Vajzë moj, lule moj ("O Maiden, o Flower"), Fishekzjarre në qiellin blu ("Fireworks in the Blue Sky"), Lumturia nuk dhurohet ("Happiness Is Not Gifted").[8]
