Halim Domla Ibodov

One of the brilliant representatives of our traditional singing art, Domla Halim Ibodov was born in Bukhara into a family of weavers. From the age of ten, he began performing folk songs while playing the doira under the guidance of the famous singer and musician Usta Sharof.

The master gradually introduced him to examples of the «Shashmaqom» and helped him become closely acquainted with famous artists like Ota Jalol and Ota Ghiyos. By the age of eighteen, he was already known throughout Bukhara as a mature singer. He performed maqom pieces with a captivating voice, awakening delight in the hearts of listeners. As a master himself, he taught young people singing and doira techniques. In 1923, he participated in the first agricultural exhibition in Moscow alongside Yusufjon Kiziq Shakarjonov, Mulla Toychi Toshmuhammedov, Ahmadjon Umrzoqov, Shorahim Shoumarov, G'ulom Zafariy, Abduqodir Ismoilov, and To'xtasin Jalilov, achieving great success. Upon his return from the trip, lines such as these were written about the famous singer:

Domla Halim took a trip to Moscow.

There, with his singing, he found much success.

In 1928, on the occasion of the opening of the Institute of Music and Choreography in Samarkand, Domla Halim Ibodov was invited there, and musicologist N.N. Mironov recorded many examples of the «Shashmaqom» from him. In Samarkand, he collaborated with the prominent composer and singer Hoji Abdulaziz Abdurasulov and participated in numerous concerts and festivities.

Domla Halim Ibodov began working at Uzbekistan Radio in 1931. Songs he performed such as «Savti Sarvinoz», «Qashqarchai ushshoq», «Iroq», «Nasrulloi», «Mogulchai dugoh», «Tolqin», and «Navro'zi Sabo» are still kept in the golden fund today. In 1933-1934, musicologist Ye.E. Romanovskaya recorded a number of melodies, songs, and maqom styles performed by Domla Halim. The master participated in many conferences, including the Republican Art Congress in 1932, the First Republican Conference of Artists in 1936, and the first Uzbek decade in Moscow in 1937, achieving great success.

He mentored many talented students. Yunus Rajabiy, Muxtor Ashrafiy, Tolibjon Sodiqov, Mutal Burxonov, Mardon Nasimov, Doni Zokirov, Sharif Ramazonov, Nabijon Hasanov, and Olimjon Halimov (the singer's son, People's Artist of Uzbekistan, composer) are among them.

For his invaluable services to our art, Domla Halim Ibodov was awarded the honorary title of «People's Hafiz of Uzbekistan». Today, the art college in Bukhara, which bears his name, continues to carry out the noble tasks the master dreamed of.

The master artist and prominent representative of our musical culture, Domla Halim Ibodov, passed away in 1940. The master's venerable name and the pages of his meaningful life shine on the history pages of our musical art, attaining immortality.