Maxsus ta’lim vazirligi nizomiy nomidagi Toshkent davlat pedagogika universiteti qoshidagi akademik litsey Nurmatov J. N, Kudratov K. X

THE ROAD OF MUSIC AND PASSION
As we remember Botir Zokirov, the founder of Uzbek variety band Yalla, we can still imagine him on stage – it is impossible to forget his face. His striking eyes were like large dark plums as they sparkled, surprisingly magnetic. He stood in front of the microphone with his hand over his heart – a gesture of humility

and gratitude. It seemed Botir’s songs kept us frozen in the moment. Botir Zokirov was always in the public eye –open, simple, yet ambiguous. He could speak about the Uzbek stage, both composers and performers, for ages – animated and inspired. But it was rare that he spoke of his being on the stage and when he did, it was very modestly. He achieved recognition and triumph that not everyone succeeds to achieve in art. His first solo concert was held in Moscow. The hall was crowded with thousands of fans. Moscow and Budapest, Kiev and Sofia, St. Petersburg and Prague; Odessa and Berlin; Warsaw and Paris applauded this Uzbek singer. He was known as one of the brightest stage performers. “The singer of the song.” He was called the “Uzbek Aznavur”, “prima-chansomer” in France. After one of the concerts in Odessa when Botir was literally smothered with flowers, Leonid Utesov said: “Now you may appear in any city because the inhabitants of Odessa do not give flowers for just any reason”. He and his musician friends formed the “Youth Ensemble ” and Botir was a soloist. This group won a prize in the Sixth International Youth Festival in Moscow. This inspired Botir to form a national variety band in Uzbekistan, an idea that soon became a reality. The repertoire was compiled by Botir Zokirov , and the group was successful from the very beginning. The unique sound of his voice, as he sang from his heart, possessed a magical power that fascinated his audiences. It was as if it elevated them above the cares of life, its misfortunes and sorrows. His performance of “Arabic Tango” literally stunned the world. Zokirov’s songs such as “Habiba”, “Rano”, “Charmed By You”, “Escaping Girl” and others became famous all over the world. Botir’s talents did not stop at singing. He was on the road to being a great actor, a theatre producer, a film actor and a writer. He became a great teacher because of his extensive knowledge of history and philosophy. He also wrote the libretto to the opera “The Leopard from Sogdiana” which was performed on the stage of the Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre. It was Zokirov who established the Uzbek Music Hall