Flora Karimova

Flora Karimova
Background information
Birth name	Flora Karimova
Born	(1941-07-23) July 23, 1941 Baku, Azerbaijan
Genres	pop, classical, folk rock
Occupation(s)	singer and actress
Years active	1970s–present

Flora Alakbar gizi Karimova (Azerbaijani: Flora Ələkbər qızı Kərimova; July 23, 1941, Baku) is an Azerbaijani popular music singer and People's Artist of Azerbaijan.^[1]

Life and career

Flora Karimova was born in Baku on July 23, 1941. According to herself, she was an unwanted child, and her mother had tried hard to put an end to the pregnancy, which was impossible to do in a conventional way due to anti-abortion laws in the Soviet Union at the time.^[2]

In 1965, Karimova was admitted to the Narimanov Medical Institute majoring in medical business and graduated in 1971. Then, from 1972 to 1977, she studied at the Azerbaijan State Conservatory specialising in vocal arts, where she strengthened her voice to four octaves. During this period She became an outstanding popular Azerbaijan Soviet pop singer. In,most films and cartoons used her songs. She sang most popular songs and professional music. Her beauty and charm with her splendid voice appleas to all over Soviet countries. She frequently gave concerts mostly in Moscow where audience were clapping her on feet standing cheerfully. Her scope of voice was large in terms of octaves by possessing 4 types of octaves Flora khanym sang various genre of music. In her early repertoire started Azerbaijan Turkic National style of Folk songs those were compesed by Alakbar Taghiyev. She is a first singer who sang together with famous Azerbaijan singer Gulagha Mammadov. They had several songs such as Tiblisi, Shirin Arzular. In this sequence she sang most famous songs of Tofik Bakikhanov, Fikrat Amirov Rauf Hajiyev and Seid Rustamov. She is a pioneering singer with her firsts. She sang first time of most popular songs such Seid Rustamov's "Oxu Tar". As a pop singer She sang several songs for films 1960s. Later She was offered to play in an Opera "Leyli Majnun" (1966). At the beginning of the 1960s Flora Kerimova began her singing career in Azerbaijan. She officially debuted in October 1960, on the stage of the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Hall. Her repertoire includes lyrical compositions, but she has also performed and performs rhythmical compositions. Since 1965 She statted to sing Prof.Ibrahim Topchubashov's songs. in 1967 She became a first Azerbaijan Soviet woman driver, driving her first Jiquli car. 1969 She got married to Prof. Ibrahim Topchubashov. Her fame began enormously increased. Unfortunately Flora khanym lost her husband Prof. Ibrahimov a year later in 1970. She got devastated. Before his death, Prof Ibrahimov was on a business trip in Turkey where he meets famous Turkish singer Nesrin Sipahi and invites her to come to Baku to give a concert. After Prof. Ibrahimov's Flora Karimova realises his wish and organises Sipahi's concert in Baku in Yashil Theatre. During a year She doesn't sing. She keeps her husband's funeral. Since 1972 She returns to stage and sing only Pop songs of famous compositors as well as for more films and cartoons. At these years She was singing song what was rearranged by Popular jazzman Vagif Mustafazadeh. The famous Azerbaijan kid song "Tiq Tiq xanim" is one of their work. Sadly, these two amazing creative and talanted art founders were not allowed to work together later. Since 1975 Flora khanym was prevented from public for different reasons acvording to her singing style and opinions. Flora Karimova used to sing her songs in genre of rock. At that time Rock song is strictly disapproved by Soviet so what she song used to be banned and performed by different singer in jazz or classic pop genres. But her fame and talent surpassed all forbids. Sadly She got into trouble by intrigues of Azerbaijan Soviet Authority Governess. She was offered to work for KGB and some sexual intercours tgat she strongly rejected. But it cost her more. So her life got in danger, this caused her to leave Azerbaijan for Poland. She became a Polish citizen and lived in Poland likewise Flora khanym was demanded in Azerbaijan so She often was invited to Baku to sing new songs and gave more concerts. 1983 She left Azerbaijan for Poland till 1987. When She returned again She worked hard and only in 1987 She sang 56 songs, 25 concerts, 23 songs for theatre plays, 9 songs for films, 1 for cartoon. 1987 She got married for tge second time. Sadly 1988 Her husband got into car accident and died. Since 1988 in Karabakh A big area of Forest Topkhana began got chopped down by Armenians. It caused to rise a tension in Baku and thousands of people protested against it. Later this problem turned a War when Armenians demanded illegally Karabakh to include as a part of Armenia. Flora Karimova joined Azerbaijan National Independence Movement and became one of activist. Flora Karimova interrupted the Russian's tanks to enter second time to city to shed blood 1990 22 of January. Where she stood still in front of tanks and streached her arms. Tank stooped very close to her and did move forward. She played a significant role in tge way of regaining second time Independence of Azerbaijan. She served boldly for Freedom of Azerbaijan and the genuine right of Krabakh. She was one close fighter friend of Azerbaijan Independence Leader Abulfaz Elchibay. Since 1995 Flora Karimova disagreed Haydar Aliyev's government and began to struggle for Human rights and democracy in Azerbaijan. She had important campaigns and success in her significant struggling movement. Since 1995 She was banned to public and TV. Her songs in films theatres and cartoons changed and intentionally her music history removed and destroyed. Flora khanym did not stop her opposition movement in term of democracy. Government slandered and abused by blaming her in immortality. Nothing frightened her. Since 2006 She gave up her social political actions and in 2007 She was allowed on TV. Flora Karimova said she enjoyed working with the late composer Emin Sabitoglu, who composed a number of lyrical songs for her.^[3]

Besides the songs by Emin Sabitoglu, Flora Karimova's repertoire includes songs by Ramiz Mirishli, Tofig Guliyev, Aygun Samadzadeh, Kamal, Khanim Ismayilgizi and many other composers. In 1983, Flora Karimova became the soloist of Azerbaijan State Television. She has recorded and released more than twenty solo albums. In 1992, Flora Karimova was awarded the title of the People's Artist of Azerbaijan. Flora Karimova thus became the first singer in the history of independent Azerbaijan to be awarded this title.

She has been married twice and has a daughter and a son.

References