The Folklore Laboratory of the Department of Traditional Musical Art

The Folklore Laboratory was established within the Department of Traditional Musical Art.

The establishment of the Folklore Laboratory in 2012 marked an important milestone in the study, preservation and development of Kazakh musical traditions. The laboratory’s primary objectives are the comprehensive study of traditional folk music and folklore, their collection, scholarly documentation, research and promotion in accordance with contemporary academic standards.

Under the leadership of Ramazan Umiraliyevich Stamgaziev, Head of the Department of Traditional Musical Art and Honoured Artist of Kazakhstan, and Aigerim Urazbekovna Taigulova, the laboratory’s first Head, numerous important projects aimed at collecting and preserving the nation’s musical heritage were successfully implemented.

Since the laboratory’s establishment, Tolen Kairgazy Ashimbekovich, Professor of the Department of Traditional Musical Art, has organised and conducted numerous research expeditions both throughout Kazakhstan and abroad.

In March 2014, faculty members of the Department participated in the round table entitled «Қош келдің Әз-Наурыз», held in Istanbul with the sponsorship of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and the Association of Kazakhs in Turkey. A festive concert was also held as part of the event. During the visit, the faculty members took part in the First International Symposium on Turkic World Studies («І – Халықаралық түркі әлемі зерттеулері»), held in Nigde, Turkey, where they delivered a presentation entitled «Сыбызғы жайлы сыр шертсек» (Reflections on the Sybyzgy).

From 3 to 16 July 2014, a specialised folklore expedition comprising faculty members and students from the Faculties of Musical Art and Painting, Sculpture and Design of the T. Zhurgenov Kazakh National Academy of Arts conducted research in Mongolia.

Under the leadership of Professor Tolen Kairgazy, students of the Department of Traditional Musical Art collected audio and video recordings of traditional Kazakh songs and kuis preserved by ethnic Kazakhs living in the Bayan-Ölgii region. The expedition resulted in the documentation of valuable musical heritage, which was subsequently published in the form of the musical collection «Ақшоқы». A CD entitled «Назқоңыр» was also released, and a documentary film was produced.

In June 2015, faculty members and students of the Department participated in the International National Cultural Festival «Berdemlek–Dostyk–2015», held in the Republic of Bashkortostan, where they demonstrated their artistic skills and performance excellence. Artists from nine countries participated in the festival: Kazakhstan, Russia, China, Brazil, India, South Africa, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

From May to July 2015, another folklore expedition to Mongolia was organised. As a result, the Folklore Laboratory’s archive was enriched with recordings of original compositions and traditional folk kuis performed by Seyit Zhumazhanuly, an outstanding kui performer (kuishi) and distinguished cultural figure of Mongolia.

In 2017, Syrym Nurmoldin, a lecturer at the Department, successfully conducted a master class at the Conservatory in Erzincan, Turkey.

In collaboration with the Folklore Laboratory, the Department of Traditional Musical Art published several important educational and scholarly works, including the song collection «Саясында алманың» by Nurzhan Zhanpeisov, dedicated to the 90th anniversary of Danesh Rakishev, People’s Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan; the teaching and methodological guide «Домбырамен ән айту мектебі» (The School of Singing with the Dombra) by Ramazan Stamgaziev, Associate Professor of the Department; the teaching and methodological guide «Сыбызғы үйрену мектебі» (The School of Learning to Play the Sybyzgy) by Talgat Mukyshev, Associate Professor of the Department; and the song collection «Алатау әуендері» by Sholpan Darzhan, a lecturer at the Department.

From May to July 2017, the T. Zhurgenov Kazakh National Academy of Arts and the Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory jointly organised a folklore expedition to Mongolia. The expedition was led by K. Tolen, Professor of the Department of Traditional Musical Art. A.B. Bakiya, a student of Associate Professor T.K. Mukyshev, recorded songs, kuis and original compositions by outstanding Mongolian cultural figures, including kobyz performer Lastai Kabikeikyzy and sybyzgy player Tleubek Musauly.

For many years, the Folklore Laboratory has been actively engaged in collecting musical heritage and conducting scholarly research. These efforts have resulted in the recording, systematisation and publication of numerous traditional songs and kuis in the form of educational materials, methodological guides and musical collections. This work has made a significant contribution not only to preserving Kazakhstan’s traditional musical heritage but also to passing it on to younger generations and incorporating it into educational programmes at academic institutions.

Since September 2023, the Folklore Laboratory has been headed by Zhanat Kanatovich Mukanov, Master of Arts, dombra performer and lecturer. The laboratory’s activities are primarily focused on fostering an appreciation of Kazakh musical heritage among young people.

Under the leadership of Sholpan Darzhan, Head of the Department of Traditional Musical Art, Associate Professor and Distinguished Cultural Worker, a variety of creative programmes, master classes and academic events have been organised. Particular emphasis has also been placed on nurturing young researchers and performers.

In 2024, a master class and a round-table discussion were organised to mark the 75th anniversary of Zhanibek Karmenov, the renowned singer, writer and musicologist. The events were held under the title «Адам боп келіп өмірге, адам боп өтсем тілегім…» (My wish is to come into this world as a human being and leave it as one). In April, a master class entitled «Stages in the Development of Bashkir Traditional Music» was held. The guest speaker was Vener Yelkibaev, Honoured Artist of the Republic of Bashkortostan and Associate Professor at the Faculty of Bashkir Music of the Ufa State Institute of Arts named after Zagir Ismagilov.

Anniversaries commemorating outstanding figures of Kazakh traditional music have long held a special place in the cultural life of the nation. Among the commemorative events organised by the Department were celebrations marking the 90th anniversary of Wali Bekenov, a renowned master of the shertpe kui tradition; the 120th anniversary of singer Zhusupbek Yelebekov; the 115th anniversary of Garifolla Kurmangaliyev, an eminent singer and teacher; and the 140th anniversary of Kenen Azerbayev, a celebrated singer, poet and folk composer.

Since 2025, the Folklore Laboratory has been headed by Aidana Nursabetkyzy Mukamayeva.

The Department of Traditional Musical Art not only preserves the nation’s musical heritage but also continues to evolve and expand its activities. It serves as a custodian of ancient musical traditions and folk music, ensuring their continuity and transmission to future generations.