Rebirth of Mugham: Alim Qasimov

Spirituality is among the key factors that draw people to music. Mankind has kept on pursuing a path of fulfillment for eternity. Music has proven, time after time, its deeper and uncanny connection to the eluding realm of spirituality. Every human who ever lived craved a stimulant that would illuminate their inner world. Music has been that stimulant for many centuries and continues to serve till now. To stir up something inside others' inner world requires conquering one's own inner self. Who has achieved triumph over oneself better than musicians?

"To be a musician, there has to be a fire burning in you," explained Alim Qasimov, one of the major Mugham singers in Azerbaijan. He is described by The New York Times as Qasimov "one of the greatest singers alive." This article inquires into this legendary musician's life and work and aims to unveil the inner world of an artist.

In a village called Nabur near Baku the capital of Azerbaijan, Alim Qasimov was born in 1957. At that time, the country was a part of the Russian Empire. His parents worked in a Soviet commune and young Qasimov started working there as well, following his parents. Poverty was an inescapable reality for Qasimov. In retrospect, this humble beginning in a rural area turned out to be a blessing for him. He never separated himself from his origin, he embraced it.

Qasimov's father, a humble man with a good singing voice, could not think about having a professional career in singing. However, he did not overlook the fire of desire for music in his son's heart. He wanted their son to achieve things that were beyond their imagination. Unable to afford an instrument, Qasimov's father made a makeshift drum for him using goat's stomach lining on a frame. With this little support, Qasimov took his first step towards his spiritual fulfillment. With his parent's boundless support, he started performing at religious events and participated in a local music contest. It did not go well for 14-year-old Qasimov, as the traditional form posed a challenge for him.

He had to overcome this hurdle, as he soon realized he had musical talent. For him, it was either singing or nothing. Having been persuaded by his parents, he enrolled in the state music school in Baku at the age of 21 years. It did not take much time before his teachers and peers recognized the impressive aptitude Qasimov had. In this music school, he specialized in vocal techniques, in particular, the repertoire of classical Azerbaijani songs—Mugham. Alim studied at the Asaf Zeynalli Music College and the Azerbaijan University of Arts. A renowned Mugham singer Aghakhan Abdullayev was his mentor.

As Qasimov shares a profound connection with Mugham, before going any further, we need to understand what it is. Mugham has a thousand years of musical tradition and is a highly complex art form which is an intricate interplay of classical poetry and musical improvisation. It is considered to be the classical music of Azerbaijan and a traditional musical form characterized by a high degree of improvisation and incorporation of popular stories and local melodies. As Mugham is a modal system, specific local modes accompany an orally transmitted collection of melodies and melodic fragments that performers can make use of during improvisation. In 2003, the Mugham of Azerbaijan a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" and Qasimov's touring and promotion of the Mugham played a significant and crucial role in this.

Under Soviet rule, practicing and performing Mugham was looked down upon. In such harsh reality, Qasimov began his professional life as a singer. But, he was indomitable. In 1983 he won the national Jabbar Garyaghdioghlu Singing Competition. Qasimov’s distinctive voice, paired with his deep understanding of the nuances of Mugham, allowed him to tap into the ability to connect with his audiences at a deeper level.

As his career progressed, he garnered both national and international recognition owing to his performances that often incorporated elements of storytelling and evocative lyrics. This combination resonated with the global audience. These achievements led him to win awards at the UNESCO Symposia on Traditional and Modern Art of Central Asian and Asian Countries. Following Azerbaijan's declaration of independence, the artistic importance of Azeri culture began to be recognized internationally. Qasimov was named the "People's Artist of Azerbaijan" in 1993 and earned the highest honor in his field in 1999 when he won the International IMC-UNESCO Music Prize.

Qasimov recorded and internationally released his music for the first time, beginning with Classical Mugham, A collaboration with the Mansurov brothers, in 1998 he recorded and internationally released Art of the Mugham and Legendary Art of Mugham. In 1999, Qasimov with his daughter, Ferghana Qasimova, participated in “The Spirit of the East" concert. Such active participation in initiatives to preserve and promote traditional music made Qasimov a cultural ambassador for Azerbaijan.

The ever-increasing pressure of globalization led to changes in cultural consumption, especially to younger audiences. Qasimov faced a challenge in finding a balance between tradition and modernity. To address this, he took an innovative approach collaborated with artists from various musical backgrounds, and experimented with new forms of expression. In doing so, he reached a wider audience without compromising the integrity of Mugham. To incite curiosity and passion for Mugham, he teaches at Asaf Zeynally Music School in Baku.

The ancient poetic traditions of Azerbaijan are still relevant in the global stage of contemporary music. It is undeniable that Alim Qasimov has played a major role in this with his majestic voice. His inclusion in "500 Most Influential Muslims of The World" speaks volumes of his talent, creativity, and incomparable adherence to his roots. He knows how to experience, how to endure, how to feel, and how to listen to mugham. This ecstatic feeling of inspiration has always been an attraction that binds him to his music and the same force will bind the audience as well, until the end of humanity.