Bolalar

Bolalar are an Uzbek pop-rock band formed in 1989 by Tohir Sodiqov, Ibragimov Shahzod, Javohir Zokirov, and Ruslan Sharipov. The band currently consists of members Tohir Sodiqov (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Timur Gaynutdinov (lead guitar), Baxtiyor Nurmatov (bass guitar), Tofik Morduxayev (drums), and Vagif Zokirov (keyboard, composing, arrangement). The name of the band, "Bolalar," means "children" or "boys" in Uzbek. It also means "guys" in Uzbek slang.

Bolalar
Bolalar performing in the Millennium Theater in NYC
Background information
Origin	Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Genres	Rock, pop
Years active	1989–present
Labels	Tarona Records Kelajak Records
Members	Tohir Sodiqov Husan Sodiqov Timur Gaynutdinov Baxtiyor Nurmatov Vagif Zokirov Tofik Morduxayev
Past members	Javohir Zokirov Nargiz Zakirova Bahodir Poʻlatov Ravshan Sobirov Anvar Salohutdinov Tolib Quliyev Rustam Zohidov Vladimir Petrachenkov Toir Odilov Ruslan Sharipov

Bolalar have received several awards and nominations throughout their career. In 2001, the band won a Tarona, an accolade given to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry of Uzbekistan, for Best Song. Bolalar also received the Tarona Award for Best Band in 2001 and 2002. Tohir Sodiqov, the long-time lead singer, guitarist, songwriter and composer of Bolalar, is a Meritorious Artist of Uzbekistan.

Bolalar and the Russian band Laskoviy Mai, who were an early influence on Bolalar, have often been called "the legends of the 1990s."[1] Bolalar are among the few Central Asian bands to have given concerts in the United States and to have released albums on iTunes.

History

Tohir Sodiqov and his friends Bahodir Poʻlatov, Javohir Zokirov, and Ruslan Sharipov, who all went to Secondary School No. 41 in Tashkent, founded the band in 1989. They gained popularity in Uzbekistan after their first hit, "Bolalar", in 1989.[2] Bolalar originally consisted of Bahodir Poʻlatov, Husan Sodiqov (Tohir Sodiqov's brother), Javohir Zokirov, Nargiz Zokirova, Ruslan Sharipov, Tofik Morduxayev, Toir Odilov, and Tohir Sodiqov.

Bolalar performed to a large audience for the first time in February 1990. In January 1990, they recorded their first album, Esingdami seni? (Do You Remember?). The group's artistic director and composer was originally Ruslan Sharipov. Over the years, most of the original members left the band. The remaining band members occasionally perform together. Tohir Sodiqov has launched a successful solo career. He usually writes both the music and lyrics to his songs.[2]

Band members

Musical style and influences

Bolalar's musical style has generally been characterized as pop rock. However, they have experimented with different musical styles throughout their career.

The band members were influenced by the Uzbek rock and roll singer Davron Gaipov and the then-popular Russian band Laskoviy Mai. Tohir Sodiqov and Yuri Shatunov, the lead singer of Laskoviy Mai, performed together in Tashkent in 2009.

Discography

Bolalar released their first album, Esingdami seni? (Do You Remember?), in January 1990. On January 22, 2007, the band released their album The Very Best of the Fontana Years on iTunes.[3]

To date, Tohir Sodiqov and Bolalar have released over 280 songs, 28 albums, and a dozen music videos.[4] Sodiqov has launched a successful solo career. Still, the band members occasionally perform together.

Music videos

Year	Title	Director
1989	"Esingdami seni?"
	"Тебя я не забуду (Школьный вальс)"
1991	"Iliq oydim oqshomda"
1992	"Yoshligimda"
1997	"Sevgi yosh tanlamas"
1998	"Gulim"
1999	"Faqat isming"
2001	"Kerak emas" (Davron Gaipov cover)
	"Sen ketgan kundan"
2003	"Boʻldi xato"
2004	"Undan nimam kam?" (feat. Lola Yoʻldosheva)
	"Koʻzing maʼyus"
	"Axir u sevmaydi"
2005	"Oʻzbek"	Rustam Saʼdiyev
2006	"Oyijon"
	"Ana endi yigʻla"
	"Sogʻinganda"	Mirtohir Mirgʻulomov and Akmal Oʻrinboyev
2007	"Jazo"
	"Eski shahar" (feat. Ruslan Sharipov, Shahzod and Xoʻja)
2008	"Afsus"
	"Happy New Year"
	"Sevgi"
	"Kechir meni"	Dilmurod Agzamov
2009	"Yarmimsan"
	"Mumkin emas" (feat. Sayatash)
	"Bilsang edi"
2010	"Sevaman"	Botir Mamatullayev
2011	"Mening doʻstim"
	"Orzu va qaygʻu"
	"Sevgim soʻndi"
2014	"Девочка магнит"
2019	"Yomgʻirlar" (feat. Renat Sobirov)

Musical collaborations

Bolalar performing during Bolalar Show 2019, the anniversary concert in recognition of their 30 years as a music band.

• "Barglar" – with the band Fayod (Raʼno Said)
• "Bagʻishlov" – with Ruslan Sharipov
• "Dilbarim" – with Sardor Rahimxon and Ulugʻbek Rahmatullayev
• "Eski shahar" – with Ruslan Sharipov, Xoʻja (Izzat Ibragimov), Shahzod (Rashid Xoliqov)
• "Indamay" – with Rayhon
• "Men, sen" – with the band Asr (Abdulaziz Karim)
• "Mumkin emas" – with Sayatash
• "Tinch qoʻy" – with Malika
• "Undan nimam kam?" – with Lola Yuldasheva
• "Yaralangan yurak" – with Sayatash
• "Yomgʻirlar" – with Renat Sobirov
• "Yogʻsin yomgʻir tonggacha" – with Setora (Feruza Latipova, Laylo Galiyeva, Kamilla Xoʻjayeva)
• "Первая любовь" – with Davron Davurov
• "Я встретил девушку" – with DJ Piligrim (Ilhom Yoʻlchiyev)

Awards and accolades

Bolalar have received several awards and nominations throughout their career. In 2001, the band won a Tarona, an accolade given to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry of Uzbekistan, for Best Song for their song "Kerak emas."[5] Bolalar also received the Tarona Award for Best Band in 2001 and 2002.[6]

Tohir Sodiqov, the long-time lead singer of Bolalar, is a Meritorious Artist of Uzbekistan.[7] Bolalar are among the few Central Asian bands to have given concerts in the United States and to have released albums on iTunes.[3][8][9]

References

1. Turdaliyeva, Muhayyo. "Takhir Sadikov and Yuri Shatunov: About the songs of the '90s". Ziyo Net (in Russian). Archived from the original on 19 February 2009. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
2. "Bolalar are still popular". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Uzbek Service (in Uzbek). Retrieved 29 November 2011.
3. "The Very Best of the Fontana Years by Bolalar". iTunes. 22 January 2007. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
4. "The legens of the 1990s". Afisha (in Russian). 13 February 2009. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
5. "About the band". The official website of Bolalar (in Russian). Archived from the original on 17 October 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
6. Yakovlev, Petr (14 May 2004). "Class of 2004". Novosti Uzbekistana (in Russian). Archived from the original on 12 November 2004. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
7. "BBC's guest: The most special celebrity Tohir Sodiqov". BBC's Uzbek Service (in Uzbek). Retrieved 29 November 2011.
8. "Bolalar's concert in New York". Uzbek TV New York. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
9. Zokirov, Dilshod. "A special report on 20th anniversary of Bolalar". Shov-Shuv (in Uzbek). Archived from the original on 4 April 2010. Retrieved 30 November 2011.

External links

• Official website (in Russian)