Farrukh Zakirov, People's Artist of Uzbekistan, gave a candid interview to Kun.uz, discussing the most difficult periods of his creative career, years of bans, memories related to the head of state and the first lady, his father Karim Zakirov's assessment of his work, and his family. The singer admits that he spent some birthdays 'in tears,' but it was the love of the people that brought him back to the stage.

'This is also a test. Those who are sifted become braver in art' – Recalling how painful a ban on creative activity is for an artist, Zakirov said: 'This also had to be seen, experienced, felt. This is also a test.' He quoted a quatrain by Mahmud Tayir dedicated to the Yalla ensemble: 'Fifty-five years was a sieve, / Fifty-five thousand wishes were. / Those who managed to go through this, / In art they became braver.'

'I asked to be released from the ministry to return to the people and creativity' – Asked whether he communicated with journalists at that time, whether they were interested in his situation, and whether he could say 'Lift the ban, I want to create, I need freedom,' Zakirov replied: 'No. It was like this: I worked at the ministry. I was even a minister for a while. I thought I could be useful there, because I grew up in the theater, in the world of art. But it turned out that it was not needed. It's that system: in the morning papers from the leadership, all day fussing with them. Then culture and sports were merged. You remember? Taking advantage of this moment, I said: "Please let me go, I want to return to my people, to my creativity." I left the ministry on good terms. But you can't just leave there – you know these protocols. I went through it. This also had to be passed, all this test. I went through this sieve.'

'Our president is a fan of our art. This cannot be bought for billions' – The interviewee emotionally recalled moments related to the head of state. According to Zakirov, his relationship with the president has lasted for many years. He especially remembers the visit to his 70th birthday. The meeting, initially scheduled for half an hour, lasted an hour and a half. 'Our president is a fan of our art. What can compare to this? This cannot be bought even for billions,' says the artist. In difficult times, it was this attention and support that inspired him.

'There was happiness, but there were also days I met in tears' – Zakirov also recalled hard times. According to him, life was not always smooth. Some birthdays passed not in joy, but with inner pain. Nevertheless, the artist considers such trials a school of life. 'Recognition of the people is something else. So my efforts were not in vain,' he said.

'The first lady embodies the Uzbek woman' – Asked about First Lady Ziroat Mirziyoyeva, who is also a fan of his songs, Zakirov said: 'First of all, it's probably no secret that I was lucky to communicate with her, to see such nobility. Look, in my songs I try to express the most beautiful aspects of Uzbek women – and all this is in her. Elegance, beauty, good manners. There is so much warmth, beauty in her gaze. Therefore, I say: I travel all over the world, but Uzbek women, especially – I emphasize again, whether Uzbek, Armenian, Russian, Tajik – the women of Uzbekistan are special.'

'The fact that my father did not criticize was already a high assessment' – Zakirov also shared memories of his father, Karim Zakirov. According to him, his father rarely praised songs, but the absence of criticism was already considered a great recognition. He especially remembered the words after the song 'Gayra-gayra': 'Not bad, son, good.' The artist also recalled pressure in Soviet times. In 1985, the central press accused the Yalla ensemble of being close to a religious direction. However, later historians and musicologists explained that the roots of the name 'Yalla' are connected with folk art and the exclamation 'Ya, Allah.' 'So it has a historical basis,' said Zakirov.

'That I abandoned you is a lie, my son' – One of the most touching parts of the interview was the story of the song 'Son.' Zakirov said that the late poet Muhammad Yusuf had a great role in creating this song. 'We came to the late Muhammad Yusuf, met, and I said: there is an idea, maybe we can make a "Men's lullaby"? He unexpectedly changed, blushed. He said: "Farrukh aka, excuse me, I'll be right back," and left. He was gone for about ten minutes. He returned with red eyes. "Eh, Farrukh aka, this is what I experienced." He told about his first family and on the same day gave me the poem. They touched the most delicate place of my soul. "Don't be offended, my soul, my son, my lion, / That I abandoned you is a lie, my son."'

'Younger brother Jamshid was praised the most' – Zakirov also remembered his late younger brother, Honored Artist of Uzbekistan, theater and film actor Jamshid Zakirov. 'Wherever we went – to relatives, to Kokand – everyone said: "Karim aka, your son Jamshid is special." He was calm, kind, more like his father. I, for example, look more like my mother. This is not envy, but I also wanted to be spoken of like that. There were various jokes. Imagine the great Halima Nasirova, the great Tamara Khanum, Mukarrama Turgunbaeva... My father was like a brother to them. I envied their communication, their manner – it was a school. As a child, I was told: "Karim aka, this son of yours is different, lighter." Jokes... Perhaps there were prayers and blessings in these jokes... We received prayers, communication, advice from such great people.'

'The biggest award in art is people's love' – During the interview, Zakirov repeatedly emphasized that people's love is the greatest wealth. According to the artist, more important than awards, titles or positions is to find a place in the people's heart. 'This cannot be bought for any wealth,' he said.

Source: kun.uz