P rominent t ajik f igures of the

Rahmat Nazri

See Nazriev, Rahmat.

Rahmatova, Nuqra

Tajik singer-composer Nuqra Rahmatova was born in the village of

Bartang of Rushon, Badakhshan, on January 2, 1942. She received her

early education in public schools.

Rahmatova's career began as an amateur singer and dancer. In 1958,

she became the soloist for the Tarona Ensemble and danced for the

Tajikistan State Philharmonic Society. Between 1963 and 1967, she was

a student of voice at Dushanbe Institute of Music. In 1967, she became

the soloist for the Maqomkhoni Ensemble. Her repertoire consisted of

the popular songs of the Soviet Union (Tajik, Uzbek, Azeri, Russian),

as well as of eastern lands (Afghanistan, Iran, the Arab lands). As a

member of the State Philharmonic Society, she has performed in con-

certs in Afghanistan, Mongolia, Syria, and Iraq.

Rahmatova's forté is in performing songs based on lyrics. She played

the role of the girl from the highlands in the 1960 production of Kovai

Ohangar (Kaveh the Blacksmith). She participated in the 1957 Youth

Festival in Moscow, as well as in the 10

th

 Anniversary of Tajik Litera-

ture in Kyrgyzstan in 1976.

Rahmatova became a People's Artist of Tajikistan in 1977 and won

the Prizes of the Central Committee of the Union of Workers and of

Radio and Television.

Although retired, Rahmatova continues to participate in major con-

certs and events. Most recently, she was invited by the Agha Khan Fund

to go to Europe with a group of Badakhshani artists.

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