P rominent t ajik f igures of the

Shahidi, Zioydullo

Tajik composer Zioydullo Muqaddasovich Shahidi was born in

Samarqand on May 4, 1914. After finishing high school, he worked

until 1939 in various studios and theaters of Samarqand, Tashkent, and

Stalinabad. He joined the CPSU in 1950.

From 1939 to 1952, Shahidi led the Ensemble of Song and Dance of

the State Philharmonic Society of Tajikistan. Then, between 1943 and

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Iraj Bashiri

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

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1946, he learned the art of composition from A. S. Lenskii and S. A.

Balasanian at the Union of Composers.

Shahidi graduated from the two-year Moscow Conservatory in 1949

and continued his studies there until 1957. From 1956 until 1960, he be-

came one of the composers who contributed a great deal to the estab-

lishment of contemporary Tajik music.

Until 1960, songs and romantic themes distinguish his creations.

These include, "Khonai Mo" ("Our House") and "Vatan" ("Homeland"),

both based on poetry by A. Lahuti and "Aziz Moskavjon" ("My Dear

Moscow"), by M Rahimi. His other contributions include "Darvoz"

("Darvoz"), by Dehoti; "Shahri Mo" ("Our City"), by Tursunzoda; and

"Ey Sorbon" ("Oh Caravan Leader"), by Sa'di.

In the mid-1960s, Shahidi turned to symphonic music. In this regard,

his contributions are: "Soli 1917" ("The Year 1917"); "Khotirai M. Tur-

sunzoda" ("In Memory of M. Tursunzoda," 1983); and "Qissai Lenin"

("The Story of Lenin," 1984).

Shahidi is also the author of several musical and dramatic plays:

Arusi Panj Suma (The Five "Sum"-Bride), Shabi Bistu Hashtum (The

28

th

 Night); Shahri Man (My City); and others. He is the author of Mu-

siqi dar Haiyoti Man (Music in My Life), dealing with aspects of con-

temporary Tajik music.

Shahidi became a People's Artist of Tajikistan in 1974. He was a re-

cipient of the Rudaki State Prize (1985), the Red Banner of Labor, and

the Badge of Honor, as well as other medals. Shahidi died on Feburary

25, 1985.