The art of bakhshi is one of the most valuable cultural heritages of the Turkmen people, passed down from ancient times. It is not merely music or song, but a precious treasure deeply intertwined with the nation's history, literature, and spiritual world. Bakhshi art is the voice of the people’s hearts, the echo of the past, and a bridge of words stretching into the future.
Bakhshi art is not only a form of musical performance, but also a convergence point of storytelling, literature, history, and folk pedagogy, carrying rich and deep meanings.
In Turkmen bakhshi art, word and music are harmonized to create profound artistic beauty. This art serves as a school that teaches the youth patriotism, humanity, patience, and compassion. Furthermore, the inclusion of dutar making craftsmanship and traditional music performing art combined with singing in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is a recognition of their invaluable contribution to global culture.
The national musical tones echoing from Turkmen folk musics performed on the dutar stand out with their unique characteristics specific to our people. These folk musics, resonating with a velvet-like tone from the Turkmen dutar, primarily reflect the depth of human emotions.
This art is our past, our present treasure, and a legacy for the future generations.
Rovshen MAKSATMYRADOV
head of the General department of the
Ahal velayat Council of the Youth Organization
of Turkmenistan named after Magtymguly.
