Kyrgyz musician Nurak Abdrakhmanov was born in 1946. It was right after the end of World War 2. Nurak’s father and grandfather, both komuz players, taught the boy the instrument. He got instructions also in making the komuz from wood, attaching strings made from goat’s guts.
Ten years later, Nurak was sent to school in the village. It was three years since Stalin’s death. He was active in all cultural activities, especially in the choir, and performed on the komuz, kyl-kyjak, and accordion. For one year, following graduation, he spent time looking after cows. His village then sent him to study cultural club management in Bishkek. The following years he devoted himself entirely to culture – as the head of the Cultural House and director of the music school. For many years he has been a renowned soloist of the National Philharmonic Kambarkan group.
With Kambarkan, Nurak traveled throughout Europe, Asia and America playing komuz and singing Kyrgyz songs. He was awarded the title of Renowned Artist of Kyrgyzstan. In his spare time he makes komuz and other national instruments in his home workshop. His komuz instruments are well known and sought after among the musical elite in the country. Recently, he started working on a poem on the history of the Kyrgyz nation. Part of it includes the “Balkan song”, inspired by the legends on the march of Attila to Europe.
Nurak Abdrakhamanov formes part of a duo called Nurak & Bakyt, together with fellow countryman, Bakyt Chytyrbaev.
Discography:
Songs Of Kyrgyzstan (Seven Seas, 1996)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
