Bobomurod Hamdamov

Bobomurod Hamdamov was born on 4 March 1940 in Chardzhou (now Turkmenabat), Turkmen SSR. After school he took a short course for crane operators and worked in construction, but his love of singing won out: he first sang Hindi songs, then joined Komiljon Otaniyozov's ensemble in Tashauz and was later regarded as a follower of his school.

Hamdamov performed folk songs in four languages: Uzbek, Turkmen, Tajik and Hindi. His songs “Sulton Jaloliddin”, “Kim ekan”, “Devona”, “Galdimu” and “Qo'rqdim” became widely popular; “Kim ekan” and “Lazgi” are named among the favourites of younger listeners. In 2010 Uzbekistan marked the 50th anniversary of his career and his 70th birthday.

He was a People's Artist of Uzbekistan, of the Turkmen SSR and of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, and a People's Hafiz of Uzbekistan. In 2020 he was awarded the Order of Friendship (“Do'stlik”) on the anniversary of independence.

Bobomurod Hamdamov died on 2 September 2024, aged 84. Uzbekistan's Ministry of Culture called him a worthy follower of the great hafiz Komiljon Otaniyozov and said his songs and work had entered the “golden fund” of Uzbek art.