The Music of Turkmen Sahra

Performed by: Ostad Nazarli Mahjoubi &
Ashur Galdi Garkazi

 Nazarli Mahjoubi , one of the greatest of Turkmen Baqshis, was born in 1929 in Chay-Gachar. At the age of eleven he was taught by Qara-Baqshi - a friend of his father - for a period of one year and was taken by him to local congregations. Nazarli was a master of all four maqams (modes) of Turkmen music and for 55 year was regarded as the ultimate performer and singer of the music of his native land. He lived in Chay-Qushan, a district of Gonbad, and earned his living by farming and cattle breeding.
Nazarli was indubitably the last representative of a long and authentic tradition of musician called "Khalifeh" in this region. "Khalifeh" is another name for Baqshi but he is more developed and has perfected his technique. His warm and mellow voice reminded the listener of longly forgotten memories of folk epics and myths. He was a man of an exceptional spiritual powers. He mesmerized his audience by his ascetic way of living. He died in 2000. May his memory will last forever.
Turkmen music generally is performed in 4 different mode: Teshnid, Qereqlar, Mokhammas and Navai. ...

Published [01/01/2004]