Remembering the King of Kazakh Waltz: Shamshi Kaidayakov

Shamshi Kaidayakov, who became known as the "King of Kazakh Waltz," was an adventurous composer. Although he was not recognized as much in his early endeavors, as time went on, he slowly became the heartbeat of Kazakh culture and identity. Even in the face of adversity, the Kazakh composer is marked by his musical innovativeness, and his way of life shows devotion.Shamshi Kaldayakov was born on 15th August 1930 in the Shaulder village of the Otyrar region of the Turkistan Region formally known as the South Kazakhstan region. His parents from the Younger Zhuz, one of the three traditional tribal confederations or hordes (Zhuz) of the Kazakh people, named him Jamshid Donbaiev. But his family and friends used to address him as Shamshi, which relates to warmth and inspiration which is quite fitting for Kaldayakov’s later contributions to Kazakh music and culture. His father was a blacksmith but used to play the Kazakh instrument Dombra and created his own poems and music to play. His mother used to like music too and sang along to his father's Dombra. So it was natural for young Shamshi to get involved in music by learning mandolin quickly and composing his first song.In the early 40s, Shamshi Kaldayakov ran away from home and school during World War II in artistic pursuit. He changed his family name from Donbaiev to Kaldayakov to evade the police. During this period he worked as a tractor driver. Both the Kazakh Famine of 1930–33 and World War II greatly impacted his artistic expression. After the war, Shamshi returned to studies and continued his agricultural work. He enrolled in the Kaplanbek Veterinary Technical School. After his graduation, he served in the army in Sakhalin. Then in 1955, he entered a music school in Tashkent. Later moved to Almaty, formally known as Alma-Ata to study composition at the conservatory.

The same year he moved to Alma-Ata, in 1956 the conflict regarding grain fields between the Soviet Republic of Kazakhstan and the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic under First Secretary Nikita Khrushchev escalated. This inspired Shamshi to compose music for the poem "My Kazakhstan" (Kazakh: Menin Kazakhstanym) by poet Zhumeken Nazhimedenov. Zhamal Omarova sang to Shamshi’s music which became popular in Kazakhstan via the radio stations across the Soviet Republic of Kazakhstan. Against Shamshi and Zhumeken’s wishes, politicians used the song for their agenda. The song was renamed "The March of the Virgin Lands" and repurposed to support Khrushchev’s Virgin Lands campaign to increase agricultural production by transforming vast areas of Kazakh steppe into farmland.

Despite his talent and dedication, he struggled with formal education and was unable to complete his degree. His success was not supported by the music conservatory in Alma-Ata. In 1959 he had to leave the conservatory because of his “wrong harmony”. This lack of formal credentials was the reason he was excluded from the Union of Composers. He applied three for the Union of Composers of Kazakhstan. But they refused.However, the youth of Kazakhstan loved the mix of Kazakh folk songs and legends and the rhythm of the waltz. His music became silently popular also across the borders of Kazakhstan. His songs like “Kuanysh waltz”, “Kaidasyn”, and “Baқyt Kushaғynda” made him the “Father of Kazakh Waltz”. 

In 1957 his mother felt that she was going to pass away soon, and called him back from Almaty. 

She said to him, “Dear son, it would seem that God did not commit me to see my daughter-in-law and enjoy my grandchildren. Perhaps, it was just a destiny. I have only one wish for you, be healthy! May your new, emerging song never be interrupted, be happy, my son!”. To which he responded, “Mom, I can’t promise you that I will set up a mausoleum for you, but I will dedicate to you the most intimate and tender of songs. And, it will never be forgotten!”. This event gave birth to “Song about Mother” in 1961.

In 1965, Kaldayakov became a Laureate of the National Youth Prize. The teacher of Shamshi, Vasily Velikanov, referred to him as a polyphonic multi-voice song master.

During a 1969 meeting in Paris with French President de Gaulle, Soviet Republic of Kazakhstan First Secretary Kunayev became aware of Shamshi Kaldayakov's music and upon returning to Alma-Ata gave him the keys to a brand-new three-apartment building in the city. Even though he took the apartment, he gave it to a friend with a large family living under poor conditions. During the 60s and 70s, he composed over 300 songs. His compositions, "Ak erke - Ak Zhaiyk", "Arys Zhagasend", "Syr Sului", "Teriskey", "Karkaraly", and "Omir Rukh", have depicted the beauty of the Ulyn steppe. Throughout his compositions, his appreciation for the pastoral beauty and the cultural heritage of Kazakhstan is rooted in his early professional endeavors.

During the 80s he suffered from illness. He dedicated a number of his favorite songs to his wife, Jamila, who also shared his passion for music. Together, they brought up two sons who continued his musical legacy. Shalkar became a famous pianist, and Mukhtar went on to become a conductor at the Abay Opera House.

It wasn't until the last few months of Kaldayakov's life that his contributions were acknowledged. He lived to see his song, "My Kazakhstan" become a symbol of solidarity during the 1986 Kazakh youth uprising against the Soviet Union. Two months before his death on February 29, 1992, at the age of 61, he was named the People's Artist of Kazakhstan. Only at this stage  Posthum the Union of Composers of Kazakhstan added him as a member.

After Kaldayakov's death, he was honored in his hometown of Shymkent with sculptures, streets, and a park named after him. Shamshi's World Park is a cultural landmark with a Walk of Fame honoring singers who came after him. In 2006, the song "My Kazakhstan," which symbolizes his enduring bond with the Kazakh people, became the national anthem of Kazakhstan. To this day his songs are performed by Kazakhstan’s pop stars, Rosa Baglanova, Rishat Abdullin, Bibigul Tolegenova, Rashid Musabayev Zeinep Koishibayeva, and others.

Kaldayakov has lived a humble life. But his legacy will live in the heart of the music of people from Kazakstan. His music has been infused with the soul of Kazakh culture. And his song, “Menıñ Qazaqstanym” is part of Kazakh Identity. There is no doubt that he will inspire the musicians worldwide. Not just with his music, but also with the life he lived.