Abdylas Maldibaev
In yesterday’s post about the National Anthem of Kyrgyzstan, I mentioned that current anthem which was introduced in 1992 replaced an early one, written in 1946, by Adbylas Maldibaev, which served as the anthem of the Khirghiz SSR, however, that was not 100% accurate. Although he was one of the composers, it was a collaborative effort together with Vladimir Vlasov and Vladimir Fere. (The words were also a result of a collaboration, between K. Malikov, T. Sydykbekov, M. Tokobaev and Aaly Tokombaev.)
Abdylas Maldibaev was a Kyrgyz actor, singer (performing as an operatic tenor) and composer. Born in 1906 in the village of Kara Bulak, in the Chui oblast, he was one of the first Kyrgyz composers who ventured beyond traditional Kyrgyz music.
Graduating as a teacher in 1929 he began work in the theatrical school, and combined teaching with appearances on stage as an actor.
He began composing music at the age of 16 and some of his early songs were popular in the Soviet era. He began experimenting with music forms which were not a part of the Kyrgyz traditions, (such as hymns, marches, opera and a symphony).
In 1954 he became the director of one of the prestigious musical colleges in Frunze (now Bishkek).
He worked together with Vlasov and Fere on a number of projects, not just the national anthem. The two Vladimirs arranged some of his folk melodies and other compositions and combined them into a number of musical dramas, including what was to become the first Kyrgyz opera – “Aichurek“, a four Act opera based on an incident from the Manas Epic, first performed in 1939. It is still occasionally staged in the Bishkek Theatre of Opera and Ballet, which is named in his honour, (and which appears on the reverse of the five som banknote).
He also composed music for two other operas: On the Banks of Issyk Kul and Toktogul.
Other works include “Ajal orduna“, “Altyn-Kyz” and “Manas“. In total, he composed some 400 songs and arranged 200 traditional melodies.
He died in 1978.
The celebrations of the 100th anniversary of his birth, in 2006, was acknowledged by UNESCO as one of the anniversaries with which the organization would be associated and would participate in organizing. The nomination for the resolution stated that:
“He succeeded in creating bridges between classical and traditional music in his country and was therefore one of the founding fathers of professional music in Kyrgyzstan. Abdylas Maldybaev is a very well known author and composer in Central Asia and his work deserves to be recognized internationally.
Maldybaev’s contribution to the diversification of Kyrgyz traditional music through the integration of new elements, such as musical instruments, innovative forms and styles in the European musical tradition, was exemplary. Use of a unique musical tradition to create a new form that would attract a larger audience and contribute to international musical aesthetics is a good model to be followed for the promotion of cultural diversity in the world.”
A statue of Maldibaev was erected in the Kemin district in 2004 and his portrait appears on the 1 som banknote.
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Here is a link to a youtube video featuring the 1946 anthem:
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For the record: Here is a translation of the anthem:
The Kyrgyz, longing for freedom rose,
the light of October lit up the Ala-Too,
the great Russian people warmed us with friendship,
Lenin opened the road to happiness for all of us
Refrain:
Be famous, our Kyrgyz land,
march forward and flourish
raise Lenin’s banner
on the way to communism!
Grown in the exploits of fight and labour
providing happiness to the Soviet people
the party of Lenin – power of the people
leads our country to new victories
Refrain
The union of free nations is indestructible,
the friendship of our peoples is strong as steel,
selflessly we love our fatherland,
we will build communism for the centuries to come!
Refrain
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Bishkek