Bolalar

Bolalar
Bolalar performing in the Millennium Theater in NYC
Background information
Origin	Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Genres	Pop rock, experimental rock
Years active	1989–present
Labels	Tarona Records, Kelajak Records
Associated acts	Abdulaziz Karim, Laskoviy Mai, Lola Yoʻldosheva, Sayatash, Sevara Nazarkhan
Members	Tohir Sodiqov Timur Gaynutdinov Anvar Salohutdinov Tofik Morduxaev Vagif Zokirov
Past members	Bahodir Poʻlatov Husan Sodiqov Javohir Zokirov Nargiza Zokirova Ruslan Sharipov Toir Odilov

Bolalar is an Uzbek pop-rock band formed in 1989 by Bahodir Poʻlatov and Tohir Sodiqov. The band currently consists of members Tohir Sodiqov (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Timur Gaynutdinov (lead guitar), Anvar Salohutdinov (bass guitar), Tofik Morduxaev (drums), and Vagif Zokirov (keyboard, composing, arrangement).

Bolalar received a Tarona, an accolade given to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry of Uzbekistan, for Best Song in 2001 and two more Tarona awards 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 is among the few Central Asian bands to have given concerts in the United States and to have released albums on iTunes.

History

	"Bolalar" Sample of "Bolalar." The song became an immediate hit in Uzbekistan upon its release.
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Tohir Sodiqov and his friends Ruslan Sharipov, Bahodir Poʻlatov, and Javohir Zokirov, who all went to high school no 41 in Tashkent, founded the band in 1989. The band became highly popular in Uzbekistan with their song "Bolalar" in 1989.^[2] Bolalar originally consisted of Bahodir Poʻlatov, Husan Sodiqov (Tohir's brother), Javohir Zokirov, Nargiza Zokirova, Ruslan Sharipov, Tofik Marduxaev, Toir Odilov, and Tohir Sodiqov. The name of the band, "Bolalar," means "children" or "boys" in Uzbek. In Uzbek slang it also means "guys".

The band members were influenced by the Uzbek rock and roll singer Davron Gʻoipov 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.

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 all of the original members left the band one after another and currently Sodiqov is the only remaining original member. However, the 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]

Discography

	"Unutganim Yo'q" Sample of "Unutganim Yoʻq." "Unutganim Yoʻq" is one of Bolalar's most famous songs. Expressive guitar accompaniments are a distinguishing feature of Bolalar songs.
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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, 10 music videos, and 28 albums.^[4] Since the mid-2000s Sodiqov has been releasing songs as a solo artist. Still, the band members perform together from time to time.

Music style

	"Boʻldi Xato" Sample of "Boʻldi xato." "Boʻldi xato" from The Very Best of the Fontana Years is one of Bolalar's most well-known songs.
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Bolalar's music has been associated mostly with pop rock and experimental rock. Bolalar have combined different musical styles over the years. While their songs were mostly pop-rock at the beginning, they have written more heavy songs over their prolific career. Their more recent songs are more mature and serious, but less heavy.

Tohir Sodiqov

Tohir Sodiqov with his student and friend Renat Sobirov in 2014

Bolalar's singer and leader Tohir Sodiqov was born in the old part of Tashkent in 1973. Together with his friends Bahodir Poʻlatov and Javohir Zokirov, and under artistic directing of Ruslan Sharipov, Tohir Sodiqov founded the band Bolalar in 1989, the year of his school graduation. Tohir Sodiqov has also founded his own record label, Kelajak Records. He has won dozens of awards and nominations such as "The Distinguished Artist of Uzbekistan", "Nihol", and "Tarona."^[5]

Awards and accolades

Bolalar received a Tarona, an accolade given to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry of Uzbekistan, for Best Song in 2001 and two more Tarona awards for Best Band in 2001 and 2002.^[6][7] Tohir Sodiqov, the long-time lead singer of Bolalar, is a Meritorious Artist of Uzbekistan.^[8] Bolalar is among the few Central Asian bands to have given concerts in the United States and to have released albums on iTunes.^[9][10][3]

References

External links

• Official website (Russian)