Animen Elin Terbegen…

The One Who Soothed the Nation with Song… (Әнімен елін тербеген…) is a substantial commemorative collection devoted to the life, artistry, and legacy of Garifulla Kurmangaliev, one of the notable voices of 20th-century Kazakh musical culture. Compiled by his granddaughter, musicologist M. S. Kurmangalieva, the volume brings together memories, biographical material, photographs, documents, and musical material to preserve the story of a celebrated singer, dombyra player, composer, actor, and teacher.

Kurmangaliev was renowned for his powerful and unusual voice and for his role in carrying forward the traditional vocal and instrumental traditions of western Kazakhstan. He was also associated with the popular song “16 Qyz” (“Sixteen Girls”), composed songs and küy, collected folklore, appeared in Soviet films, and devoted much of his later career to teaching and mentoring younger performers.

Particularly valuable as a record of Kazakhstan’s musical heritage, the book includes accounts of the creation and performance of Kurmangaliev’s songs, photographs and archival documents, sheet music, and writings dedicated to the artist. The work also helps document a traditional musical culture passed from one generation to another.

Published in Almaty by Dayk-Press in 2010, this 432-page volume is both a personal memorial and an important contribution to the history of Kazakh traditional music.