Kazakh people are famous for their culture, traditions and heritage; and beautifully they have passed it from one generation to another over the centuries. As music has been an integral part of Kazakhstan’s culture for centuries; Therefore, they express their cultural heritage through music. Kazakh music is a blend of nomadic storytelling, oral history, epic folk songs, historical battles, tales of nature, improvisational poetry and modern pop music.
Kazakh people make sure that their culture is promoted worldwide through their music. People in Kazakhstan enjoy wearing traditional clothing, particularly on different occasions like weddings or Nauroz. Their traditional garments include the combination of vibrant colors, patterns with fur, silk, and silver jewelry, showcasing both luxury and a deep reverence for nature. These traditional dressing can be seen in their countless music videos over the decades.
In Kazakhstan, two genres of traditional music are famous including “KUI” (instrumental music) and vocal music. Kui is performed by musicians using Kazakh traditional musical instruments like dombra, kobyz, Zhetygen, Sybyzgy and Daulpaz. (Sometimes, on screen, text is often seen in the background for the music)
FAMOUS SINGERS/MUSICIANS OF KAZAKHSTAN:
Kazakhstan has been the home of a great number of talented and internationally- renowned classical musicians, including Kulyash Baiseitova, Bibigul Tulegenova, Yermek Serkebayev, Roza Baglanova, Alibek Dnishev, Aiman Musakhodzhayeva, Marat Bisengaliev, Mayra Muhammad-kyzy, and Alan Buribayev.
Roza Rymbaeva is a famous Kazakh singer. She is well known across the countries which were once part of the former Soviet Union. She won honorable awards and first place in music competitions in the Soviet Union.
(Roza Rymbaeva)
She also sang a song about Aliya Moldagulova. Aliya Moldagulova was a hero of the Great Patriotic War. That was the time when the Soviet Union fought against Germany during World War II. (1941-1945)
(Link of the famous song)
Among the recent singers like Makpal Zhunusova, Imanbek, Kairat Nurtas, Amre, Galymzhan Moldanazar, Toregali Toreali, Ninety One, Miras Zhugunusov, Abzhappar Alkozha, Saken Maigaziyev, Kenzhebek, Serikbolsyn Sailaubek and Marhaba Sabi; These all singers have inspired their fans all over.
When we talk about the person who has taken Kazakh music on an international platform single handedly; is none other than the mega super star and music icon Dimash Qudaibergen.
Dimash Qudaibergen is a famous Kazakh singer. He is famous all over the world because of his exclusivity. He sings in 13 international languages which provides him a large fan following in many parts of the world.
(Glimpses of Dimash Qudaibergen’s stardom from the Mexico tour 2025)
Some of his famous songs are in Kazakh, Russian, English, French, Chinese, and Italian languages. He has received many international awards and his career is flourishing like a living legend. In his many concerts, you can see him playing the famous Kazakh musical instrument Dombra which is loved by his fans.
Link of some of the famous songs by Dimash Qudaibergen are given below:
ACCORDING TO THE AUTHOR GALIYA VERONICA ZHASMIN FROM KAZAKHSTAN:
Many foreigners ask What kind of musical instruments or music Kazakhs use during wedding ceremonies or other cultural festivals? The answer is We, Kazakh people call all the great events “TOI”. It includes all kinds of celebrations, wedding ceremonies, cultural events, Nauroz and other festivals.
Some traditional Kazakh musical instruments that are commonly used at Kazakh TOI are as follows:
DOMBRA:
The most famous Kazakh string instrument with two strings.
KOBYZ:
It is an ancient bowed instrument associated with traditional music and spiritual culture.
ZHETYGEN:
It is a traditional multi-string instrument.
SYBYZGY (Sibizgi):
It is a traditional flute made from reed or wood.
DAULPAZ:
Daulpaz is a drum used during ceremonies and celebrations.
SHANKOBYZ:
Shankobyz is a small folk mouth harp.
All the musical instruments have their own taste but undoubtedly dombra remains the soul of Kazakh music all over.
(In this ethno-folk musical video, you can witness dombra, kopuz and sibizgi being played together)
In today’s modern age, Kazakh music is flourishing at its peaks as never before. Kazakh singers are producing modern pop music along with folk music and continue to promote Kazakh cultural aspects worldwide.
(Ones of my favorite Kazakh songs by Kairat Nurtas )
The best way of exploring the history of Kazakh music closely; is by visiting the “Kazakhstan Museum of Musical instruments” in Almaty in Panfilov Park, the museum displays more than 1,000 items of instruments, dating back to the 17th century.
Nowadays Kazakhstan is home to the following classical music institutions:
· The Astana Opera
· The Kazakh State Philharmonic Orchestra
· The Kazakh National Opera
· The Kazakh State Chamber Orchestra
· The Abai Kazakh State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet
· The Kurmangazy Kazakh State Orchestra of Folk Instruments
(The Astana Opera)
Progress of Kazakh music is an ongoing process and at the same time they are preserving the traditional music, and innovative amalgamation with Western classical music. All in all, it makes Kazakhstan so unique and attractive for the listener worldwide.
NOTE: We are thankful to the following for the research work.
https://astanatimes.com/2022/08/astana-opera-house-to-open-souvenir-shops-in-capital
https://astanatimes.com/2017/06/astana-opera-house-to-stage-kazakh-and-world-masterpieces-in-june
https://welcome.kz/en/info-cities/almaty/music-museum
https://alchetron.com/Marat-Bisengaliev