Tajik maestro Davlatmand Kholov dies at 74
Davlatmand Kholov, a prominent Tajik musician and singer, died at the age of 74 after a long battle with cancer.
Born in 1950, Kholov gained fame for his performance of the track ‘Refuge’ dedicated to Imam Reza (PBUH), the eighth Imam of Shia Muslims, written by contemporary Iranian poet Mahmoud Habibi Kasbi.
Death of Kholov, a master of the ancient Tajik music style ‘Falak’ and a virtuoso on traditional instruments such as the dotar, Qeychak (a bowed lute), and setar left behind a legacy that has significantly shaped the musical landscape of Tajikistan, IRNA wrote.
He emphasized the cultural ties between Iranian and Tajik music, adding that Iranian music is a treasure that cannot be found under or on the earth.
Kholov’s album ‘Learned & Folk Music’ released in 1996, was a testament to his deep understanding and innovative approach to traditional music.
His Sufi-inspired melodies were mostly based on the poetry of Rumi (Molavi).
Iranian Minister of Culture and the Islamic Guidance, Mohammad-Mehdi Esmaeili, extended condolences to the government and people of Tajikistan, highlighting Kholov’s deep affection for the Persian language and the works of renowned Iranian poets.
Esmaeili praised Kholov’s contributions to cultural exchange between the two nations.
Moreover, Kholov was honored at the Imam Reza International Festival last year, receiving a plaque of devotion. Iran’s Ambassador to Tajikistan, Ali Reza Haqiqian, expressed condolences to Kholov’s family in Dushanbe, acknowledging the artist’s significant impact on the cultural landscape.
Kholov was a recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the State Prize of Tajikistan named after Abuabdulloh Rudaki. The President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, extended condolences to Kholov’s family, acknowledging his invaluable contributions to the development of singing, particularly folk songs and the ‘Falak’ genre.