Birth: Uzbekistan
Uch Kuduk, Star of the East, Shakhrisabz Hits of Tashkent stars of past years. Two years ago, the Uzbek ensemble Yalla celebrated thirty years of existence of its VIA. But the permanent leader of Yalla, Farukh Zakirov, is confident that they will still surprise the audience with new hits!
Is it possible to draw something brighter for Yall than Uch Kuduk?
Why not? That was in 1980, when we, in company with the famous Russian poet Yuri Entin, went on our next tour of Uzbekistan. We drove through the Kyzylkum desert, and Yuri, with his poetic gaze, somehow saw in a different way that same industrial city located in the middle of the desert. Already an hour later, walking along Uch Kuduk, Entin told me: There is a song, let’s play the music. And in almost forty minutes I wrote the music with a guitar. And in the evening at the concert we sang this song. So a similar song may appear again. It's important to find inspiration.
Have your songs ever been banned by Soviet censorship?
The same Uch Kuduk was not released for a long time. The only one of the secretaries of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Uzbekistan was present at the concert. He heard the song and said in shock: A song about Uch Kuduk? No one has ever dedicated a verse to this city, but here is a whole song! This remark was perceived by his subordinates as a prohibition. The song sat on the shelf for a whole year. But there were people who, at their own fear and risk, played Uch Kuduk on Central television. This is how a new hit was born. Some time later I spoke with that official, he explained that he did not want to cause us any inconvenience. It turns out that he easily expressed his ecstasy with that phrase.
At concerts, everyone is used to seeing you in oriental costume. But, they say, in Tashkent you dress like a European?
I’ll tell you openly, performing in an oriental costume in front of your own people is like an oil of butter. My compatriots are used to seeing me in a formal suit and tie.
You have an endless supply of songs in Russian. I wonder what language you are thinking in?
My mistress, with whom I have lived for eighteen years, is Russian. And before I thought only in Russian. But at the moment it’s already seventy percent in Uzbek. By the way, my wife speaks excellent Turkish, but her Uzbek language is not very good.
Evil tongues are spreading gossip that Yalla is a frequent guest at weddings in Uzbekistan these days. Like, it’s not the same popularity
Everything is the opposite! In Uzbekistan, singing at weddings is a great honor. A wedding is the most important event in the life of every person. People are saving up capital to celebrate the wedding of their children, saving money for famous artists. For a musician, this is a special reference point: if you are in demand, you are often invited, which means you are popular.
Is there such a thing as Uzbek show business in your homeland?
We are full of interesting young people. That's why show business exists. And it’s very well developed.
Do you listen to Russian artists?
Yes, we are following them very closely. And the young shoots, as I noticed, are Lately In general, he tries very hard to imitate Russian performers. This doesn’t upset me much, because we ourselves have plenty of interesting things.
Why do you live in Uzbekistan and not in Russia? Many stars of Soviet times have been singing successfully in Moscow for a long time
There is one simple explanation: I love close Tashkent. Like all eastern people, I honor the memory of my parents, who are buried on Uzbek soil. My dad is the People's Artist of Uzbekistan Karim Zakirov, the only one of the first national opera singers. And Shohista Saidova’s mother is a famous singer in the republic, who worked at the Uzbek Musical Drama Theater.
Have your children followed in your footsteps in the profession?
My dad also expressed hesitation: can there be so many musicians in one family? You must either be a very bright personality, or not engage in art at all - these are his words. Both of my adult sons are studying abroad, and not at all in music. Although the smaller one, it seems, began to look in her direction, well, we’ll see. But Nargiz’s niece, the daughter of Louise’s sister, is already an accomplished singer, which, in my opinion, was confirmed by her participation in our current concert. The poet Ilya Reznik brought her onto the professional path when he was looking for a vocalist for the musical film The Bride from Viadyl. Moreover, she sang at the Jurmala festival, but outside the competition, since she was a year short of the age limit. Now she lives in America.
Nargiz Baykhanova died on April 23 after a long illness in her home, which is located in the Beshagach district in Tashkent. Last year, the singer underwent surgery in a German hospital.
Nargiz Baykhanova was buried today, in the afternoon, at the Chigatai cemetery in the capital.
Film actor Javakhir Zakirov, who took part in the funeral once famous singer, told the Ozodlik reporter that representatives of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, as well as hundreds of art and cultural figures of Uzbekistan, came to see Nargiz Baykhanov off on her final journey:
– A lot of people came to the funeral. The son of the deceased Said Zakirov, ex-husband Farrukh Zakirov and many Uzbek artists were there,” Javakhir Zakirov told our radio.
According to him, the Zakirov dynasty and the Uzbek stage have lost the owner of a unique voice. Nargiz Baykhanova was the first wife of Farrukh Zakirov, the permanent lead singer of the mega-popular group “Yalla”.
Nargiz Baykhanova became famous after singing the song “Sen bulmasang yonimda” (“If you are not next to me”). Currently, this song is performed by young representatives of the Uzbek stage.
Nargiz Baykhanova was one of two former soloists of the vocal and instrumental ensemble “Yalla”.
In 1974, as part of the Yalla group, Larisa Kandalova and Nargiz Baykhanova presented the music of Soviet Uzbekistan at concerts in Berlin and Dresden. Last time the singer appeared in the film “I’ll Give You a City,” filmed in 1978 by director Eduard Khachaturov.
“Uch Kuduk”, “Star of the East”, “Shakhrisabz”... Hits of Tashkent stars of past years. Two years ago, the Uzbek ensemble “Yalla” celebrated thirty years of existence of its VIA.
But the permanent director of “Yalla” Farukh Zakirov is sure that they will surprise the audience with new hits!
Is it possible to write something brighter for “Yalla” than “Uch Kuduk”?
- Why not? That was in 1980, when we, in company with the famous Russian poet Yuri Entin, went on our next tour of Uzbekistan. We drove through the Kyzylkum desert, and Yuri, with his poetic gaze, somehow saw this industrial town located in the middle of the desert in a different way. An hour after walking around Uch Kuduk, Entin told me: “There is a song, let’s make music.” And literally in forty minutes I wrote the music with a guitar. And in the evening at the concert we sang this song. So a similar song may well be born again. It's important to get inspired.
Have your songs ever been banned by Soviet censorship?
“The same “Uch Kuduk” was not released for a long time. One of the secretaries of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Uzbekistan was present at the concert. He heard the song and said in surprise: “A song about Uch Kuduk?” No one has ever dedicated a verse to this city, but here is a whole song! This remark was perceived by his subordinates as a prohibition. The song sat on the shelf for a whole year. But there were people who, at their own peril and risk, played “Uch Kuduk” on Central Television. Thus a new hit was born. Some time later I spoke with that official, he explained that he did not want to cause us any inconvenience. It turns out that with that phrase he simply expressed his delight.
At concerts, everyone is used to seeing you in oriental costume. But, they say, in Tashkent you dress like a European?
– To be honest, performing in an oriental costume in front of your own people is like “butter and butter.” My compatriots are used to seeing me in a formal suit and tie.
You have a lot of songs in Russian. I wonder what language you are thinking in?
– My wife, with whom we have lived for eighteen years, is Russian. And before I thought only in Russian. But now it’s already seventy percent in Uzbek. By the way, my wife speaks excellent Turkish, but she doesn’t speak Uzbek very well yet.
Evil tongues are spreading gossip that “Yalla” is a frequent guest at weddings in Uzbekistan these days. Like, it’s not the same popularity...
- It's the other way around! In Uzbekistan, singing at weddings is a great honor. A wedding is the most important event in the life of every person. People save money to celebrate their children's weddings and save money for famous artists. For a musician, this is also a kind of reference point: if you are in demand, you are often invited, which means you are popular.
Is there such a thing as Uzbek show business in your homeland?
– We have a lot of interesting young people. That's why show business exists. And it is very well developed.
Do you listen to Russian artists?
– Yes, we are watching them very closely. And young people, as I noticed, have recently been trying very hard to imitate Russian performers. This saddens me a little, because we ourselves have a lot of interesting things.
Why do you live in Uzbekistan and not in Russia? Many Soviet-era stars have been singing successfully in Moscow for a long time...
– There is one simple explanation - I love my native Tashkent. Like all eastern people, I honor the memory of my parents, who are buried on Uzbek soil. My father is People's Artist of Uzbekistan Karim Zakirov, one of the first national opera singers. And her mother is Shohista Saidova, a famous singer in the republic who worked at the Uzbek Musical Drama Theater.
Have your children followed in your footsteps in the profession?
– My father also expressed doubts: can there be so many musicians in one family? “You either have to be a very bright personality, or not engage in art at all” - these are his words... Both of my adult sons are studying abroad, and not in music at all. Although the youngest, it seems, began to glance in her direction - well, we’ll see... But Nargiz’s niece, the daughter of sister Louise, is already an accomplished singer, which, in my opinion, was confirmed by her participation in our current concert. The poet Ilya Reznik brought her onto the professional path when he was looking for a vocalist for the musical film “The Bride from Viadyl”. She even sang at the Jurmala festival, but out of competition, since she was a year short of the age limit. Now she lives in America.
TASS/Salynskaya Anna
She could have gone with the flow since childhood, but instead she resisted it with all her might. Nargiz was born in Tashkent into a musical family: her grandfather was an opera singer, her uncle Farrukh Zakirov was the leader of the popular ensemble “Yalla,” her mother sang on the stage, and her father was a drummer in the musical group of the girl’s other uncle, Batyr Zakirov.
When 15-year-old Nargiz was selected to participate in the Jurmala-86 festival, the girl learned for the first time what human envy is. She was openly told that her family was protecting her and that she did not deserve to go on stage. But Nargiz did not give up: in Jurmala she won the audience award with the song “Remember Me” based on the verses of Ilya Reznik.
Love and emigration
After school, the young singer entered the vocal department at a circus school - but her performances were far from what the teachers taught.
She tries to sing rock, goes on stage in short shorts - and all this against the backdrop of growing national self-awareness, when more and more families in Uzbekistan returned to traditional values and reverence for religion.
It was in those years that they began to call her the “Uzbek Madonna” - Nargiz dyed her hair blonde, and her performances were accompanied by explicit dancing.
The idea of emigration had been discussed in their family since the late 80s. Nargiz’s personal life was also in full swing at this time.
Ruslan Sharipov was the leader of the rock group "Bayt", wore long hair and leather pants, and Nargiz reached out to him with all her rebellious nature. He reciprocated: a month after they met, she received a marriage proposal, and soon after the wedding she became pregnant.
The birth of their daughter Sabina in 1990 separated her and Ruslan’s lives in different directions: While Nargiz was babysitting, he continued to give concerts and reciprocate the love of fans.
She could not forgive the betrayal - the couple divorced. In one of her last interviews, Nargiz admitted that Ruslan now has problems with alcohol - but she is sure that he will pull through.
Her second husband was Ernur Kanaibekov. As soon as she married him, Nargiz and her family emigrated to the United States - while she was six months pregnant. The husband was supposed to join them later.
In the States, a completely different life awaited the famous Uzbek singer.
Video rental, tattoo parlor and restaurants
America immediately charmed Nargiz with its freedom and limitless possibilities. This was what she missed so much in her native Uzbekistan. But along with this, the singer also faced serious difficulties.
In the first year after moving, her father could not find a job for a long time, constantly quarreled with her mother, and developed diabetes mellitus due to stress. As soon as she gave birth to her son Auel, Nargiz went in search of work - she simply walked from one place to another, asking if there were any vacancies.
Her English was weak, and the only thing she was entrusted with was a place in a Russian video rental store. She was happy about this too.
Life gradually returned to normal. Nargiz worked and was looking forward to Yernur’s arrival. But when her husband arrived, she did not recognize him.
“Either while he was living alone in his homeland, he fell in love, or there was some other reason, but a stranger arrived. I was really looking forward to him - my beloved man, support, support, but a cold stranger appeared on the threshold. “Show me your son,” he said instead of greeting,” she recalled.
Yernur became a good father for Auel, but a bad husband for his mother. Almost immediately after their divorce, the man died in a car accident. But before that, he introduced Nargiz to her third - and greatest - love.
Arriving at the place, Nargiz was truly amazed by the singer’s talent. And then she agreed to go on stage herself - and got her first job as a singer in America.
They soon married the Italian Philip Balzano. Her third marriage turned out to be much longer and happier than the previous ones.
Italian passions
Marrying a Sicilian and living with him for 20 years is quite in Nargiz’s character. They had similar temperaments and hobbies, they could fight furiously and then passionately make peace, but in this marriage the main thing was love.
Disagreements began when Nargiz’s son from Ernur, Auel, grew up. Quarrels began to flare up between him and Philip more and more often; for the time being, she played the role of a lightning rod, but then, like any mother, she took the side of the child.
“Philip did not want to accept Auel in any way, but at the same time he wanted to keep me. Situations reached the point of madness, we even had to call the police. His hatred for my son alienated me more and more,” said Nargiz.
It was not possible to disperse peacefully: Philip made huge financial claims against Nargiz (who by that time had successfully performed on the Russian stage), and the court took up the matter. The litigation lasted for several months, until Balzano finally backed down: Nargiz called and offered to settle the differences amicably.
Now the singer with a clear conscience calls herself a free woman: she raised children, became a successful wife and has the right to live the life she has always dreamed of. And she dreamed of only one thing - to sing.
Voice
She was already 42 years old when she decided to radically change her well-fed and quiet life restaurant singer. In the USA, Nargiz went to the casting of the musical project X-factor: she went through several tours and waited for a call from the producers. At the same time, I decided to try my luck in the Russian “Voice”.
Fortunately for the domestic stage, Nargiz never received a call from American producers. But in Moscow they noticed her and invited her to blind auditions. Well, then - the real American dream on Russian soil.
All the project mentors turned to Nargiz. She chose Leonid Agutin - and under his leadership she reached the finals.
“I didn’t win, I won,” she said after Sergei Volchkov took first place in the project.
And this is true: Nargiz’s career is now on an incredible rise. She tours extensively and successfully, recorded a solo album under the guidance of producer Max Fadeev and sang a duet with him.
“This is my time!” says the singer about her life.
Zakirov Jamshid Karimovich and his famous family of singers, actors and musicians. He lived and worked in times Soviet Union. What is known about the actor’s personality and his family? What films did he star in?
Jamshid Zakirov: biography (brief)
Uzbekistan, famous film and theater actor, as well as TV presenter, Jamshid Karimovich was born in the city of Tashkent on July 11, 1948. His father is opera singer Karim Zakirov. Jamshid studied in Tashkent and in 1971 received a diploma from a well-known theater institute in Soviet times. He received his first theater and acting education at the Uzbekfilm theater workshop. Start creative career took place in Uzbekistan, in the national and Russian drama theater.
Family and personal life
Jamshid's father was born into a family of simple workers in 1912. His family understood and appreciated art, so Karim Zakirov became the founder of the Zakirov creative dynasty. He had an excellent memory, exceptional hearing, and a naturally rare baritone - this allowed him to go on stage. Karim Zakirov was the founder of opera in Uzbekistan. In 1939 he was awarded the title of Performer of more than 30 roles at the Bolshoi Academic Theater named after Alisher Navoi. Performed arias in the opera “Farhad and Shirin” (part of Farhad), Mulla-Dost’s aria in “The Tricks of Maysara”. The opera enjoyed incredible fame. Karim Zakirov died in 1977.
Mom's name was Shoista Saidova. She was born in 1922 into a wealthy family, which was dispossessed during collectivization. Her father, Said-Kori, was a literate man, recite the Koran by heart and knew seven languages. Shoista performed folk lapars. She studied in Moscow at an opera studio, where she met her future husband Karim. Soon they got married. Their first child, Batyr, was born. After studying, Shoista began working at the Mukimi Musical Comedy Theater. She was a woman with strong character and a heightened sense of justice. The Zakirov family had five sons and one daughter. Two steel folk artists, and two are Honored Artists of Uzbekistan. Shoista lived to be 80 years old and died in 2000.
Zakirov's elder brother Batyr was an artist, writer, actor and singer. I recited poems by Akhmatova and Tsvetaeva by heart. He contributed to the development of pop art in the republic. In 1957 in Moscow at All-Russian festival The orchestra, led by Batyr Zakirov, received an award for performing a song about his native Uzbekistan. His mother wrote the words and music for the song. Sister Louise was part of the orchestra. Batyr in 1966 was honored to sing on the stage of the Olympia Hall in Paris. Batyr died in 1985, he was only 49 years old.
The second brother, Farrukh Zakirov, is also known in the republic. He was the leader of the instrumental ensemble "Yalla", a singer, actor and composer.
The only sister, Louise, was also a talented artist and singer. She had a mesmerizing voice. She sang Indian and Indonesian songs. In adolescence, Louise sang in front of him. He was delighted and gave the girl gifts. She was inseparable from Batyr, they performed together. There was strong affection and friendship between them. And after his death, Louise could not perform alone and left the stage. Then she and her family left for America.
Jamshid Zakirov was married to Gavkhar Zakirovna, she was an Honored Artist of the Uzbek USSR. The girl studied at the Tashkent Theater and Art Institute, and received a diploma in 1971. Jamshid and Gavkhar had an only son, Javakhir Zakirov. He always toured with his parents. Together with his wife, Jamshid Karimovich performed in the theater, on radio and television, festivals, and at various anniversaries. They always brought a holiday with them.
Now Javahir Jamshidovich is a singer, famous actor and director. He has a wife and three children. A girl and two boys.
Niece - Nargiz Zakirova, born in 1970, is the daughter of Louise and Pulat Mordukhaev. She also became a singer. In 1984 she was awarded the Audience Award at Jurmala-86. On the show “The Voice” she was noticed by producer Maxim Fadeev. Nargiz starred in several videos and recorded whole line solo songs.
Jamshid Zakirov and his awards
Honored Artist of Uzbekistan (1995).
Laureate of the Ilkhom Prize named after Mark Weil (2010).
Major movies
The actor's filmography consists of the following films:
- 1969 - cameo role - “Street of Thirteen Poplars.”
- 1985 - "Revolt of the Daughters-in-Law."
- 1989 - "Dune" - cameo role.
- 2007 - episodic role - "Platinum".
- 2009 - "Trace of the Salamander" - cameo role.
- 2011 - "Vysotsky. Thank you for being alive!"
Jamshid Zakirov also played in such theater performances, like: "Mardikor" and "Night in Venice".