Rustam Minnikhanov signed an obituary on the occasion of the death of legendary singer Ilgam Shakirov

(KZN.RU, January 17). Ilgam Shakirov, a people's artist of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tatarstan, the laureate of the State Prize of the RT named after G. Tukai, died on January 16 at the 84 years old. Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the RT, signed an obituary on the occasion of the death of an outstanding representative of Tatar musical culture.

“Ilgam Shakirov is a legendary singer who won the recognition of millions of listeners and devoted his entire life to the propaganda of Tatar national musical art. He was the owner of an unusually beautiful melodic timbre (baritone). The whole era in the Tatar musical culture is connected with the name of Ilgam Shakirov. His work is loved by many generations and is the standard of Tatar vocal performing art. The bright memory of him will live forever in our hearts”, says the obituary.

Ilgam Shakirov was born on February 15, 1935, in Yana Bulyak Village, Sarmanovsky district of the RT (now Tukaevsky district). In 1954, after graduating from the Tlyanche-Tamak high school, he entered the Kazan Musical College, and a year later, got into the vocal department of the Kazan State Conservatory in the class of E. Ambrosimova and Z. Bairasheva.

The whole creative life of Ilgam Shakirov is associated with the Tukai Tatar State Philharmonia, where he came in 1960 after graduating from the Kazan State Conservatory as a vocalist.

Ilgam Shakirov’s voice, unique in its beauty and strength, generously endowed by nature with the rich melismatic, extraordinary performance, in-depth knowledge of Tatar folk art made it possible to transmit the full depth of content and age-old wisdom of ancient folk songs. With his talented, inimitable performance, he gave a second life to the pearls of the folk song art “Kara urman”, “Zilyaylyuk”, “Taftilyau”, “Uel”, “Tugan tel”, etc.

The repertoire of Ilgam Shakirov includes more than 500 works. These are practically all Tatar folk songs and works of Tatar composers who often dedicated their compositions to him. Many songs by M. Muzafarov, D. Fayzi, A. Klyucharev, N. Zhiganov, Z. Khabibullin, and R. Yakhin were first performed by Ilgam Shakirov and received a unique sound. He also sang songs of Russian, Kazakh, Uzbek, Azerbaijan, Karakalpak, Bashkir, and other peoples.

Many works Ilgam Shakirov wrote by himself and they also became national wealth: “Idel bue caennary” (lyrics by A. Erikey), “Ochrashu Kyryra” (lyrics by G. Zainasheva), “Beznen Idel builary” (folk lyrics), “Khaman Iste” (lyrics by L.Aituganov), “Gelmeriam” (lyrics by G. Afzal), “Sibele chechem” (folk lyrics), “Sin Sazynny uinadyn” (lyrics by N.Isanbet), “Mengelekke kitep baram” (lyrics by G. Igebaev), and etc.

Ilgam Shakirov made an invaluable contribution to the preservation and development of the musical art of the Tatar people and the development of the national concert scene. He led an active concert live, toured in Russia, near and far abroad. His name is known to the Tatars of the whole world.

High skill and conscientious work of Ilgam Shakirov were marked by awards, including the honorary titles of the People’s Artist of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tatarstan, the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the winner of the State Prize of the RT named after G. Tukai, the Order of Honor and the Order of Merit of the RT, the medal “In commemoration of the 1000th anniversary of Kazan” and “For Valiant Labor”, honorary badge “Golden Apollo” of the Tchaikovsky Foundation.

Ilgam Shakirov loved the Motherland with all his heart, was a popularly favorite singer, national treasure and pride of the Tatar people. He gained the sincere love of millions of people by his talent, creative individuality and wonderful songs, over which time has no power.

The obituary was also signed by Mintimer Shaimiev, the State Counselor of the RT, Farid Mukhametshin, the chairman of the State Council of the RT, Alexey Pesoshin, the prime minister of the RT, Asgat Safarov, the head of the Presidential Administration of the RT, Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, Vasil Shaikhraziev, the deputy prime minister of the RT, the chairman of the National Council “Milli Shura” of the World Tatar Congress, Irada Ayupova, the minister of Culture of the RT, and many others.

A memorial service will be held on January 18 at 11 am in the Tatar State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater of M. Jalil. You could bid farewell to I. Shakirov from 9 am, reports the press service of the President of the RT.