Folk musicians-storytellers - bagshis - contribute to the popularization of the rich creative heritage of the poet and thinker Magtymguly Fragi in Turkmenistan and beyond.
As reported in the “Neutral Turkmenistan”newspaper, one of them is Dovletmammet Kurbanov, who works at the Balkanabat House of Culture for Oil Workers of the “Turkmennebit” State Concern. His songs were heard in China, Italy, Türkiye, Switzerland, Belarus, Czechoslovakia, and Uzbekistan. His repertoire includes such songs as Dag saýar, Il biläni, Soňydagy, created to the words of Magtymguly Fragi.
“Now I’m working on a song based on Magtymguly Fraga’s poem Ata meňzär, in which one of the hills on the outskirts of the village is compared to a saddled horse”, - says bagshi. - Comparison is one of the expressive artistic means that is often used by the brilliant poet. To convey all the subtlety of the feelings of a great author, you have to work hard, passing every word through your heart.
On this occasion, Magtymguly wrote: “My word, set to music, will become more elegant”. This is confirmed by the poet’s works, which have become songs and are performed by bagshi and modern pop singers.
The Hungarian scientist and traveler Armin Vambery, in his book “Travel in Central Asia”, published in 1865, notes with particular warmth the magic of Magtymguly’s songs and their impact on the public. Much time has passed since then, however, folk songs created to the words of Magtymguly Fragi have not lost their aesthetic and educational significance. They played an important role in raising many generations of glorious sons and daughters of the Turkmen people.
His son, Yagshimammet, a graduate of the bagshidepartment of the velayat special art school, also followed in the footsteps of Dovletmammet Kurbanov. No wonder people say that if a student does not surpass his teacher, the profession will disappear.
For his contribution to the development of national song and musical art, bagshi Dovletmammet Kurbanov was awarded the title of Honored Artist of Turkmenistan. The famous bagshi is full of creative inspiration and desire to mark the year with new songs, the motto of which is “The Fount of the Mind of Magtymguly Fragi”.
