Whenever the People’s Artist of Turkmenistan Lyale Begnazarova is mentioned, people inevitably say, “Oh, is that the same singer who sings the song ‘Selbiniyaz’?” This is the ultimate recognition of the talent and work of someone who has dedicated their life to art. Today, the bagshy, who has achieved fame among the people and mastered the art, has won the hearts of her fans with songs such as “Siz Arkadag, Arkadagly Gahryman Serdar”, “Jan Türkmenistan”, “Aşgabat”, “Jan ejemden aýyrma” and “Seni küýsedim”.

We invited Lyale Begnazarova for an interview, during which she shared her artistic path.

Our guest is the Artistic Director of the folk song and music ensemble “Altyn Menzil” of the Ministry of Railway Transport of Turkmenistan. People’s Art of Turkmenistan Lyale Begnazarova,.

Ya.A.: Lyale, our readers know you as a renowned performer of folk and pop songs, an artist who glorifies our national art. How did your creative path begin?

L.B.: I believe that the place where people are born, their surroundings, greatly influence their future destiny in terms of their choice of profession. I was born in the village of Gozgan in the Kaahka etrap and graduated from Secondary School No. 6 there. I spent my childhood in the vast plains, where flocks of sheep grazed, where I enjoyed the touch of a light breeze on my face, where I got wet in the rain and admired the extraordinary beauty of wonderful nature. The closer a person is to nature, the more inspired they are. Inspiration is the main starting point for entering the arts.

Ya.A.:Today, you are known as an artist who has found her way in national art. It was likely not an easy journey. You have invested considerable effort and dedication, working tirelessly, but the success of your first steps largely determined your future course of action.

L.B.: You are right. I would just like to point out that the role of family is also crucial for success and self-confidence. Here, I'd like to quote the words of the National Leader of the Turkmen people Hero-Arkadag, which have become one of the fundamental principles of parents in every family, “When a father is a true father and a mother is a mother, then the children will certainly find their place in life.” I was born into a family of teachers. In our family of eleven children, the boys and girls had their own responsibilities. There were seven boys and four girls. From childhood, we were taught that brothers and sisters should be friends and love each other.

We were also busy with the garden, grew vegetables, picked fruit, did needlework with my sisters, embroidered, knitted and felted. On top of all this, we excelled at school. After all, at home, we were asked every day about our marks in each subject. We also studied languages. My oldest brother Dovletgeldy played musical instruments, and we had traditional musical instruments at home. So, I began studying music from an early age. From a young age, I listened with awe to songs performed by Sahy Jepbarov, Orazgeldy Ilyasov, Magtymguly Garliyev and Nabat Nurmuhammedova.

Ya.A.: So, you learned the art of singing remotely, so to speak?

L.B.: Yes, you could say that. However, I owe my success on the path to excellence in many ways to the People’s Artist of Turkmenistan Akmurad Chariyev. I met him at a concert where I performed as a student, and he was already a well-known performer. After that, Akmurad Chariyev became my mentor and taught me a lot, guided me and shared his experience. His efforts were not in vain. I have been fortunate to perform on stages in many foreign countries, promoting our national art around the world. With our folk song and music ensemble “Altyn Menzil”, we often perform at large-scale celebrations and holidays celebrated across the country. We are working on new songs with the ensemble’s soloists, Ayna Mammedova, Myratgeldy Durdiyev and Dilber Gurbanova.

Ya.A.: Was the first song you performed a pop or a folk song?

L.B.: I started singing when I was in fifth grade. My first songs were pop ones. I performed children’s songs by famous composers, such as “Ak pagtam” and “Körpäm”.

Ya.A.: We know you also have experience in theater. The play Şasenem-Garyp, for example, is associated with you for many...

L.B.: I am incredibly happy to have made such an impression. Theater is a very interesting world. While I was working with the song and music ensemble “Serdara serpaý”, I was invited to Magtymguly National Music and Drama Theater. There, I worked with masters of theatre art – Kadir Atabayev, Ata Alovov and Ahmet Pursiyanov, and created several characters. Working on the roles of Bilbilgoy in the production of Hüýrlukga – Hemra, the main servant in Harmandäli, Şasenem in Şasenem – Garyp, and Peri in Hazyna tapan çopan helped me delve deeper into the world of music.

Ya.A.: Lyale, you have probably had some unforgettable, happy moments in your life. Let’s continue talking about them!

L.B.: Yes, there were more happy moments, more joyful ones than I can count. First of all, I’d like to recall the moment when I won the Grand Prix at the Şark Taronalary Festival, held in Samarkand in 2009. The feeling of achieving a high result, representing your country and glorifying national art, gives you a sense of pride in your work, in making your contribution to the popularization of national culture and art.

I can say that winning the President of Turkmenistan’s “Türkmeniň Altyn Asyry” competition and being awarded the honorary titles of Honored Artist of Turkmenistan and People’s Artist of Turkmenistan are my greatest achievements in the world of art. For a person, especially a woman, there is also an indescribable feeling of joy and pride in seeing the happy faces of their children every day. My daughter Selbiniyaz is happily married, and thanks to her, I am now the grandmother of two wonderful children. My son Begnazar also gives me the joy of motherhood; he is currently pursuing his chosen field at university.

Ya.A.: You also have many fans of the songs you perform in the languages of fraternal countries. Has this list of songs expanded this year?

L.B.: This year has been called the International Year of Peace and Trust, a year of strengthening friendship among peoples and building trusting relationships. With this in mind, I have presented my listeners with songs in the languages of friendly and fraternal nations: Azerbaijani, Uzbek, Hindi and Tajik. I hope these songs will find a place among the favorites of my art lovers and will become a symbol of friendship among peoples.

Ya.A.: Thank you, Lyale! As a person who brings goodness and is engaged in noble deeds, we wish you every success in life and in your creative work. May your positive voice continue to inspire art lovers!

L.B.: Thank you! We live in a wonderful period, known as the Revival of the New Era of the Powerful State. It is a great joy to live, work, create and invent in such a historical era. With all my heart, I wish the National Leader of the Turkmen people Hero-Arkadag and Head of State Arkadagly Serdar good health, long life and every success in all endeavors aimed at the benefit of the people and the prosperity of our Motherland! May music and songs always resound in our peaceful land!

Ya.A.: Thank you very much!

Yazgul ANNAYEVA ,

Ussatnews.com.