Embroidery with Yellow-Golden Threads: The Artist
Director: Georgy DZALAEV
TAJIKISTAN | 2017 | 38MIN | HD | COLOR
Muqarama Kayumova doesn’t speak about herself much, but she appears knowledgeable and understanding. As head of the Foundation of Craftsmen of Tajikistan, she is known as a designer and a participant of the festival movement of folk craftsmen. Her father, a Tajik originally from Samarqand, moved to Dushanbe when the republic of Tajikistan was formed. The family practiced golden embroidery, and the knowledge and skills were passed to children. Golden embroidery was a domestic hobby and the opportunity for Muqarama to create something to decorate an interior or a dress.
In her workshop are awards, diplomas, and certificates recognizing her for her accomplishments and talents. Her finest pieces are in galleries and collections outside of Tajikistan. And whatever work is currently exhibited in her workshop will eventually leave as well. One of her rules is to create something necessary for people, something to decorate their lives. Knowing Muqarama means being introduced to the craftsman, the artist, the designer, the art-manager, the historian, and a person who is in love with her country.
Gurghuli—Traditional Epic
Director: Robia ATOEVA
TAJIKISTAN | 2017 | 31MIN | HD | COLOR
This video is about the centuries-old Tajik epic Gurghuli. The epic consists of thirty-three chapters, and the narrators recite it while playing a traditional string instrument. The epic begins with the mythical hero’s birth in a tomb, which is why he is named Gurghuli, for gur means “tomb” and ghul means “great.”
This video shows an authentic performance as well as interviews with researchers and the performer who explain the history and significance of Gurghuli.
Labchang—The Mouth Harp
Director: Dilovar SULTONOV
TAJIKISTAN | 2017 | 20MIN | HD | COLOR
Labchang, a musical instrument known from ancient times, received its name because it is placed between the lips and is played with fingers. Some old people in a few areas of Tajikistan continue to play labchang, so the art of playing has almost disappeared. The young generation generally doesn’t even know about the instrument. This film is dedicated to the methods of play on various types of labchangs in different parts of Tajikistan.
Miniature
Director: Dzalaev George
TAJIKISTAN | 2017 | 40MIN | HD | COLOR
The artist’s art has not enough development yet. The little part’s of artists interested in this kind art “Miniature”. Sarvinoz Khodjaeva and her husband engaged many years to this kind art. They even conduct a young artist’s club in their home and teach the young artists about art miniature. Sarvinoz and Olimdjon organized several demonstrations of miniature artwork in Tajikistan and abroad.
Naqshkhoni—The Folk Song Genre
Director: Dilovar SULTONOV
TAJIKISTAN | 2017 | 40MIN | HD | COLOR
Naqshkhoni, a genre of folk music, has an old history and is performed only during weddings and festivals. Currently this musical genre has survived only in northern Tajikistan. The main characteristic of naqshkhoni is that it is sung a cappella by a group of old and respectful people. Special attention and interest has been shown in reviving this genre over the past few years, especially by young people. The film is dedicated to the performance of this folk expression.
Navruz Games
Director: Robia ATOEVA
TAJIKISTAN | 2017 | 26MIN | HD | COLOR
Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, 2016
Navruz is celebrated in Iranian cultures such as Tajikistan. As it is a happy festive day to welcome the spring after the long winter, the children enjoy various games. This video shows the children at play. Girls wear traditional Tajik costumes, and boys wear formal clothes while playing games like pebble tossing and catching, kite flying, stick tossing, skipping rope, hacky sack, arm wrestling, swinging, breaking eggs. They also sing, allowing viewers to also feel cheerfulness of a festive day and become quite comfortable.
Skills of Making Musical String Instruments
Director: Robia ATOEVA
TAJIKISTAN | 2017 | 35MIN | HD | COLOR
The traditional Tajikistani string instrument rubob and the flute mehtar are handmade. Rubob produces easy-listening sound, so it’s good for listeners to hum along with the melody it plays. On the other hand, mehtar, famous for its loud sounds, is popular for merry events like wedding ceremonies. This video shows how to play and make both instruments.
Suzaniduzi—Folk Embroidery
Director: Dilovar SULTONOV
TAJIKISTAN | 2017 | 40MIN | HD | COLOR
Embroidery a favorite hobby of Tajik women, being practiced in various forms and styles in different parts of Tajikistan. Suzaniduzi is a popular form of embroidered needlework. Initially, a naqsh (drawing) is outlined on cloth and later is embroidered with colorful thread, according to the taste of the embroiderer. Every suzaniduzi pattern has a specific meaning. Most naqsh are inspired by nature. The patterns have ceremonial significance, and that’s why most of them are prepared for brides and the house of newlywed couples.
TTajik Textile Crafts
Director: Dilovar SULTONOV
TAJIKISTAN | 2017 | 40MIN | HD | COLOR
The artful Tajiks of Central Asia invented and preserved their crafts and traditions since ancient times. One popular craft among the people is textile weaving, mainly silk weaving, which has its own local features throughout Tajikistan. Atlas and adras silk fabrics as well as chitgari (block-printing) made with natural colors are known in northern Tajikistan while gulbast is known in southern regions.
Traditional Tajik Dances
Director: Dilovar SULTONOV
TAJIKISTAN | 2017 | 40MIN | HD | COLOR
Various dance forms are performed in relation to nature throughout Tajikistan. The dances are varied, mainly having an imitating character. Performed by folk artists, the dances are transferred from generation to generation. Some of the rare dances are gone with their performers. The Pamiri people perform a rare mourning dance that is currently performed only in Bartang Valley and is on the verge of disappearances. Other dance forms are being revived day by day.
