P rominent t ajik f igures of the

Mullojonova, Shoista

 

Tajik singer Shoista Rubinovna Mullojonova was born on

September 3, 1925, in Dushanbe. Her career as a singer began in 1941

as part of the Rubab Player Ensemble of the Tajikistan Philharmonic

Society.

Mullojonova graduated from the Stalinabad Women's Pedagogical

School in 1943 while still working at the Society. Between 1947 and

1953, she studied at the Moscow Conservatory. Thereafter, she

skillfully blended the nuances of classical Russian music with those of

national Tajik music. Between 1953 and 1958, she performed at the

Aini Theater for Opera and Ballet. The roles that she developed include

Mahin in Tohir va Zuhro (Tohir and Zuhro), by A. Lenskii; Gulizor in

Shurishi Vose' (The Vose' Uprising), by S. Balasanian; Marfa in Arusi

Shoh (The Bride of the King), by N. Rimskii-Korsakov; and others.

Between 1958 and 1975, she served as a soloist singer for the Tajik

State Philharmonic. Here she performed not only classical Tajik music,

but the music of other Soviet republics and of Eastern peoples in

general. In 1975, Mullajonova became a senior instructor at the

Tajikistan State Institute of Arts.

Mullojonova became a People's Artist of Tajikistan in 1957. She also

received the Order of Lenin, the Red Banner of Labor, two Orders of

the Badge of Honor, four medals, and the Honorary Order of the

Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of Tajikistan and other republics.