The Maya Kuliyeva Turkmen National Conservatory hosted a commemorative evening in honor of two renowned singers — People’s Artist of Turkmenistan Nabat Nurmukhammedova and Amanbibi Velmyradova. This year would have marked the 100th anniversary of Nabat Nurmukhammedova’s birth.

This singer is among the women who represent the classical tradition of the bakhshi art in female performance. An interesting fact: Senior Lecturer of the Bakhshi Department and People’s Artist of Turkmenistan Shemshat Hojayeva was the only student of Nabat Nurmukhammedova. While working at the studio of the State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company, Shemshat performed songs from Nabat’s repertoire and tried in every way to emulate her idol. When they finally met, Nabat Nurmukhammedova admitted that one of her daughters had once noticed that a young woman was singing on the radio exactly like their mother. Under the guidance of the halypa, Shemshat learned such songs as “Selbiniyaz,” “Tuni Derya,” “Kim Biler,” and others. They became friends, and Shemshat learned that thanks to her rare talent, Nabat had been invited to work at the State Philharmonic at the age of sixteen.

During the war, as part of an agitational brigade, she traveled with concerts to conscription centers and to soldiers on the front line. In 1944, for her active participation in the life of the country, the brave young woman was awarded the title of Honored Artist of Turkmenistan at the age of eighteen. The title of People’s Artist of Turkmenistan, for her enormous contribution to national art, was awarded to Nabat Nurmukhammedova posthumously in 2018 by our respected Arkadag.

The other singer, Amanbibi Velmyradova — whose memory students and faculty of the conservatory also gathered to honor — would have turned 80 this year. Another interesting fact: Shemshat Hojayeva worked together with Amanbibi Velmyradova at the State Television and Radio studio; thus, she personally knew both singers. Amanbibi had a pleasant voice, and while still a student at the Pedagogical Institute in Lebap, actively participating in amateur art competitions, she received an offer to work at the State Television and Radio studio.

The opportunity to become a professional singer appealed to Amanbibi so much that she immediately left her studies and moved to Ashgabat. Amanbibi not only sang but also voiced roles. The radio play “Gorogly” is especially remembered: the main character was voiced by People’s Artist of Turkmenistan Juma Yazmyradov, while the role of Agayunus was performed by Amanbibi. Radio listeners immediately recognized her voice, which beautifully complemented the image of Gorogly’s wife.

A third interesting fact: in 1973, the creative paths of Nabat Nurmukhammedova and Amanbibi Velmyradova crossed during the filming of the movie “The Secrets of Mukam.” The role of the main heroine, Karkara, was played by Liza Karayeva; one song for her was performed by Amanbibi, and another by Nabat.

This story about the two famous singers was shared with the audience by Shemshat Hojayeva. People’s Artist of Turkmenistan Akmyrat Charyev and Honored Artist of Turkmenistan, film director Shirli Mollayev, also shared their memories of the singers, who left a kind and lasting legacy.

To conclude the evening, graduates of the Bakhshi Department prepared a concert featuring songs from Nabat Nurmukhammedova’s repertoire. The art of bakhshi varies in style depending on the uniqueness of the singer’s voice, character, and manner of performance. The concert program included performances by Shemshat Hojayeva’s students, whose mastery closely resembles that of Nabat Nurmukhammedova.

Folk songs such as “Sahypjemal,” “Kim Biler,” “Galmanam,” and others were performed on the stage. Among the women-bakhshi who took part were Ogulbagt Mashadova, Gulshirin Annamyradova, Sheker Allagulyeva, Tavus Annamyradova, and others. The concert also featured the chamber orchestra conducted by Dovletmammet Okdirov, with soloist Didar Yumudov. The orchestra performed vivid excerpts from the film “The Secret of the Mukams.”

Photographs from various years and video materials about the lives and creative work of both singers were also shown on screen. These visual materials aroused special interest among those present, many of whom knew Nabat Nurmukhammedova and Amanbibi Velmyradova only by reputation.

The commemorative evening dedicated to the two Turkmen singers was held in a warm atmosphere of sincere respect by the successors of their artistic legacy.