Euronews dedicates latest documentary to legendary mugham virtuoso Alim Qasimov on musical roots

A new documentary by Euronews offers a rare and intimate portrait of Azerbaijani singer Alim Qasimov, the world’s most prominent interpreter of mugham, a deeply spiritual and highly complex modal folk music form rooted in Azerbaijan.

Known for his emotive performances and improvisational brilliance, Qasimov reflects on his artistic philosophy, cultural heritage, and personal journey from rural beginnings to international acclaim.

In the film, Qasimov shares his view of music as “memory, resistance, and release.” Born in 1957 in the village of Nabur—now part of the Gobustan district, roughly 100 kilometers from Baku—Qasimov was raised in a modest household. His father Hamza built his son's first instruments by hand, fashioning a naghara (drum) and saz (string instrument) that would set the foundation for Qasimov’s musical path.

Speaking to Euronews, Qasimov described his approach to performance as intuitive and unrestrained:

“We have a rich and ancient musical heritage—from composers to ashugh music to symphonic traditions to khanandas [mugham performers]. When I perform this music, it feels like a weapon in my hands. It’s a force. It happens naturally, as if the music flows through me. I don’t control it. Inspiration comes on its own, takes its own form, becomes its own variation—and I just let it speak through me.”

In the film, Qasimov also recalled a concert he gave in New York City with his daughter Fargana Qasimova, herself a celebrated khananda, and reflected on what lies ahead: “Still, inshallah, there are so many programmes, so many paths in future.”

Often called a "Living National Treasure" of Azerbaijan, Qasimov didn’t formally pursue music until the age of 19. He studied at the Asaf Zeynalli Music College (1978–1982) and the Azerbaijan University of Arts (1982–1989), under the mentorship of legendary mugham master Aghakhan Abdullayev.

Qasimov is known for blending mugham with other musical traditions, including jazz, contemporary classical and even pop. Over the years, he has collaborated with a diverse array of artists, including Jeff Buckley, Michel Godard, David Vendetta, Sabina Babayeva, the Kronos Quartet as well as countless other joint musical ventures with other folk performers.

In 1999, Qasimov was awarded the prestigious IMC-UNESCO International Music Prize in recognition of his artistic contributions to global peace. He also holds the title of People’s Artist of Azerbaijan, the country’s highest honour in the arts.

Mugham, a hallmark of Azerbaijani cultural identity, is a highly complex modal folk musical composition, particularly rooted the city of Shusha in the Karabakh region.

As an 2010 article dedicated to this ancient genre by The New York Times, mugham resembles a “symphonic-length suite, full of contrasting sections: unmetered and rhythmic, vocal and instrumental.” Performers draw from a repertoire of melodies and poetic fragments, passed down orally, and combine them with classical poetry in freeform improvisation.

While its roots lie in Azerbaijan, mugham is a widespread intercultural art form in Near and Far Eastern regions, with similar styles found from Transcaucasia to China: Muqam in Xinjiang, Makom in Uzbekistan, Shashmaqam in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, Makam in Türkiye, Maqam in the Arab world, and Dastgah in Iran.

By Nazrin Sadigova