Gavriel Mullokandov

Who was Gavriel Mullokandov?

Gavriel Mullokandov is widely regarded as the greatest Bukharian Jewish singer and musician. He was the People's Artist of Uzbekistan.

Born on April 8, 1900, in Samarkand, to a family of music lovers. He got much of his musical training and experience from his older brothers and from the age of nine began to sing in synagogue. At the age of 11 Gavriel was already singing on weddings and concerts and public loved him. From his childhood, he learned everything about Shashmakom and could play all local instruments.

During the 1920s Gavriel worked with his brother Mihoel, who was also one of the greatest singers and musicians in Central Asia. In 1925-26 they were joined by Levi Babahanov, who once was a court musician of Emir of Bukhara.

In 1929 Gavriel Mullokandov won a contest in Samarkand for the best Shashmakom singer and was recognized as a new music star.

In 1930-32 Gavriel and Mihoel Mullokandovs together with other Bukharian activists organized a Bukharian Jewish theater in Samarkand. In it, they were joined by such outstanding Bukharian Jews as Aron Saidov, Murduhai Bachaev and Bahor Kandhorov. The Jewish theater became very famous in Central Asia, Moscow, Leningrad and Baku.