P rominent t ajik f igures of the

Boboqulov, Ahmad

Tajik artist Ahmad Boboqulov, the son of the famed master of

Shashmaqom, Boboqul Faizulloev, was born in Dushanbe on January

17, 1931. After completing Middle School (1949),

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Iraj Bashiri

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

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Boboqulov graduated from the Moscow Conservatory for Voice in

1954 and completed post-graduate work in 1962. His voice was that of

a dramatic tenor. Between 1954 and 1966, Boboqulov was the soloist

for the Aini Theater for Opera and Ballet. Between 1955 and 1966, he

was the soloist for the State Philharmonic Society of Tajikistan. Begin-

ning in 1967, he served as an Assistant Professor of Voice at the

Dushanbe Pedagogical Institute, and became a professor in 1977. He is

a master in the performance of Arias, romances, and songs in general;

he imbues his performances with feelings of warmth, genuineness, and

sincerity. Boboqulov mastered operas in Russian, European languages,

and Tajiki.

Boboqulov's major roles include Kararodosi in Toska (Toska), by G.

Puccini, 1970; Kanio in Maskharabozho (Clowns), by R. Leoncavallo,

1967; Zamon in Dukhtari az Dushanbe (A Girl from Dushanbe, 1968

and Komdi va Madan (Komdi and Madan), by Z. Shahidi, 1966; Rudaki

in Rudaki (Rudaki), by Sh. Saifiddinov, 1976; Vodimon in

Iolonta(Iolanta), by P. Tchaikovsky, 1976; and others.

Boboqulov's voice is rich and clear. He teaches the tradition of

Shashmaqom as he has received it from his father. His main written

contribution is Asarhoi Vokolii Zhonrhoi Gunogun Baroi Ovozi Tenor

(Voice Contributions for Various Genres of Tenor, 1976).

He was a People's Artist of the Soviet Union in 1971. He is a recipi-

ent of the Order of Lenin, the Red Banner of Labor, and other medals.

Ahmad Boboqulov passed away in 1990.