Unveiled Tales and Musical Pieces by the Unacknowledged Kazakh Music Master who was a War Veteran of World War II
Life and Legacy of War Hero Turned Composer: Turash Abuov
Hailing from Kazakhstan, Turash Abuov was a rare breed of composer who not only took up arms during World War II but also utilized his art to encapsulate the harsh realities of war and the indomitable spirit of bravery. Despite his significant contributions, his work has been vastly overlooked for years.
Fast forward to today, and Abuov's compositions are finally receiving the recognition they deserve, thanks to a groundbreaking book penned by Abdulkhamit Raimbergenov and Erbolat Alimkul. In an exclusive interview with The Astana Times, the authors revealed the inspiration behind this extensive work.
Abdulkhamit Raimbergenov, a dombra player and researcher, spent nearly a decade digging up Abuov's biography after meeting him in 1983 during an expedition in the Zhambyl Region.
"In 1983, I was on an expedition searching for another kuishi-composer. One day, as I sat in a restaurant, a man named Turash approached me, inviting me to share his artistic work. We grabbed our tape recorder and headed to his house-that was the first time I encountered him," recounted Raimbergenov, reflecting on his initial encounter with Abuov.
"Turash had a rather military-like demeanor, standing tall with a strong voice. He shared that his deepest emotions found expression through the kui (traditional musical compositions) and that he had been singing and playing the dombra since childhood. As he performed, I noticed his unique style. He effortlessly blended various kuis, weaving together songs and poetry, creating new forms of kui-song," added Raimbergenov.
Erbolat Alimkul, a dombra player himself, was initially drawn to studying Abuov due to their shared hometown.
"I hail from the same village in the Zhambyl region as Turash Abuov. While studying at the conservatory, I chose to focus on him for my thesis. At the time, I had no idea he was from our own village," disclosed Alimkul.
"Arnau," more commonly known as "Kazakhstan Komsomol," is one of Abuov's most well-known kuis. Alimkul shared the story behind its creation.
"At the peak of the war, a group of young soldiers dispatched from Kazakhstan arrived at the front lines, only to perish. Turash Abuov sustained injuries and lost consciousness. Just before losing consciousness, the last thing he saw was a tank bearing the name Kazakhstan Komsomol (Communist Youth League). That image remained with him," said Alimkul.
"When he came to, the soldiers around him imparted the devastating news: every one of the others had perished. The experience left an indelible mark on him. Later, he composed a kui in their memory and dedicated it to their sacrifice," he added.
According to Alimkul, Abuov's kuis do more than merely reflect the experiences of war - they provide a deeply personal and vivid portrayal of the Kazakh soldiers who fought.
"Among the great Kazakh kuis, many were born during the Great Patriotic War. In this man's work, the kuis dedicated to the war stand out as particularly remarkable," said Alimkul.
"Turash Abuov was a man who fought alongside many veterans of the Great Patriotic War, including Manshuk Mametova (machine gunner and Hero of the Soviet Union) and Ibraim Suleimenov (Kazakh sniper). This book carefully preserves the memories of these individuals, along with the kuis dedicated to them and the handwritten notes they left behind," he added.
The book brims with pages filled with musical compositions, memoirs, letters, and handwritten notes.
"Maidanger Kuishi" (Front-line Musician). Photo provided by Erbolat Alimkul
"In addition to the kuis composed for his closest friends, such as Azilkhan Nurshaykov (poet and front-line soldier), the book tells the story of the war itself and the peaceful times upon return to the village once the war had ended," said Alimkul.
Later in his military career, Abuov lived in Turkmenistan for many years before retiring due to health issues. On his doctor's advice to return to his homeland for at least ten days, Abuov heeded the advice and poured his emotions into music, leading to the creation of Serpin kui.
Unlike traditionally structured kuis, Abuov's compositions flowed with an unrestrained, almost improvisational quality.
"Turash Abuov's kuis incorporated the traditions of Karatau, Arka, and Zhetisu (regions). His kuis were remarkably free-both in melody and structure. He was a self-taught musician, a naturally gifted kuishi. That's why there were no constraints in his performance-he played with complete freedom, creating truly unique works," said Alimkul.
- Turash Abuov, the composer hailing from Kazakhstan, was a war hero who created unique musical compositions, blending different traditions and styles.
- Abdulkhamit Raimbergenov, a researcher and dombra player, spent nearly a decade digging up Abuov's biography, which was an integral part of a groundbreaking book authored by him and Erbolat Alimkul.
- One of Abuov's most well-known kuis, "Arnau" or "Kazakhstan Komsomol," was inspired by a tank he saw during the war, symbolizing the sacrifice of Kazakh soldiers.
- Erbolat Alimkul's book on Abuov is filled with musical compositions, memoirs, letters, and handwritten notes, providing a comprehensive account of the war, peace, and the extraordinary life of Turash Abuov.
