100 Years of Nurgisa Tlendiyev: The Man Who Breathed New Life into Ancient Kazakh Instruments

This year marks the centennial of Nurgisa Tlendiyev, a legendary Kazakh composer who helped define the golden era of Kazakh music. His 100th birthday will be celebrated throughout the year, and Orda.kz spoke with people who knew him personally to reflect on his life and legacy.

Tlendiyev was born on April 1, 1925, in the village of Shilikemer in the Ili district of the Almaty region. Music was in his blood — his father, Atabay, was a dombra player, while his mother, Salika, played the syrnay, a traditional wind instrument.

It was Akhmet Zhubanov, a towering figure in Kazakh music, who first noticed young Nurgisa’s passion for the dombra and encouraged him to pursue a musical education. But things took an unexpected turn — at college, the equally renowned composer Latif Hamidi mistakenly enrolled Tlendiyev in a dance class.

Thankfully, Zhubanov quickly stepped in to set things right, transferring him into the music program where he truly belonged.

In 1948, Tlendiyev entered the Kurmangazy Kazakh State Conservatory, and later continued his studies at the Moscow Conservatory, where he became the first Kazakh student ever to be admitted.

Few people know that in addition to playing the dombra, Nurgisa also did boxing. Akhmet Zhubanov, they say, even gave him an ultimatum: choose either music or boxing.

Tlendiyev chose music, and Kazakh culture has been richer ever since.

The talented young Nurgisa Tlendiyev went to the front lines at just 16, having added two years to his age in his passport to be eligible for service.

Composer Yermurat Usenov recalls:

Akhmet Zhubanov put him on the conductor’s podium when he was only 13. Later, he was drafted into the army. But Zhubanov wrote a letter, and Nurgisa was recalled from the front. Zhubanov became like a father to him — he had great foresight and saved a truly gifted young man.

According to Maksat Zakirov, a musician with the folklore and ethnographic orchestra Otyrar Sazy, Tlendiyev's life was inseparable from music and art:

He was taught to play the dombra from early childhood and reached incredible heights in performance. He had the rare ability to bring listeners to the most delicate emotions and to express every feeling that overwhelmed him. He was a true master — his entire life was dedicated to art.

Reviving Ancient Sounds

In 1980, Nurgisa Tlendiyev founded the Otyrar Sazy orchestra — a project that began as a modest ensemble and, within two years, grew into a full orchestra. Its mission was to revive the ancient musical traditions of the Kazakh people, and Tlendiyev played a key role in adapting traditional instruments for orchestral performance.

Under his direction, the orchestra incorporated instruments such as the two- and three-stringed dombra, kobyz, sybyzgy, sazsyrnay, jetigen, shankobyz, and asatayak — some of the oldest instruments in Kazakh culture.

The name Otyrar Sazy pays homage to the sazsyrnay, an ancient wind instrument discovered in the historic city of Otrar. We spoke with Gulfairuz Dalbagay, an associate professor at the Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory and a researcher of the sazsyrnay, about Tlendiyev’s vision:

Nurgisa Tlendiyev placed enormous value on ancient instruments. In an article he wrote 50 years ago, he said: ‘First of all, I would welcome the creation of an ensemble of ancient national instruments. With their help, it would be possible to bring back the forgotten kuis.

One of those who knew Nurgisa Tlendiyev personally was Ykylas Nurgaliev, chief conductor of the folklore and ethnographic ensemble Sazgen Sazy.

He recalls:

The uniqueness of Otyrar Sazy was that it featured ancient instruments studied by Bolat Sarybayev. Tlendiyev elevated the orchestra through these instruments. His kuis ‘Ata Tolgauy’ and ‘Makhambet,’ which had previously been performed by the Kurmangazy orchestra, sounded completely different when played by Otyrar Sazy.

Tlendiyev didn’t just use traditional instruments—he revived and adapted forgotten ones for modern performance. He was the first to introduce the jelbuaz (which he called the meshkobyz) into orchestral music. In Moscow, Ykylas’s kui ‘Kambar Batyr’ was performed on the meshkobyz, using Tlendiyev’s arrangement.

Over his lifetime, Nurgisa Tlendiyev composed more than 500 works. He wrote music for beloved films and animations, including "Why is Swallow's Tail Forked?", "The Lame Foal," "Kyz Zhibek," and "My Name is Kozha."

His kuis, such as "Alkissa," "Makhambet," "Ata Tolgauy," "Akku," "Kosh Kerueny," "Sarzhailau," and "Baiterek," have become timeless. His songs — “Oz Elim,” “Kustar Any,” “Sarzhailau,” and “Song About Grandmother” — remain deeply emotional and cherished by generations. Many say his music became a spiritual companion for the people.

Maksat Zakirov worked as an artist in the Otyrar Sazy orchestra from April 1983 to November 1994, specializing in the bass-kobyz.

Tlendiyev had a wonderful character. It was easy to work with him. Cheerful, tireless, and incredibly hard-working. He would push himself to exhaustion and ensured we all matched that energy. We performed three concerts a day, not counting travel. But we enjoyed it. His enthusiasm was contagious and inspired everyone, Zakirov recalls. 

A Legacy for Generations

Today, the artistic director and conductor of the Academic Folklore and Ethnographic Orchestra “Otyrar Sazy,” named after Nurgisa Tlendiyev, is his daughter, Dinzukhra Tlendiyeva. Under her leadership, the orchestra has gained international recognition, a fact acknowledged by many, including Ramazan Stamgazy:

Otyrar Sazy is a national brand. Its repertoire reflects the entire history of Kazakhstan — our cultural heritage. The orchestra has preserved ancient kuis and adapted the works of contemporary composers. Many artists hold solo concerts with them. Otyrar Sazy performs at all major state events.

Maksat Zakirov, who performed with the orchestra for over a decade, says he’s proud of its current state. He notes the influx of young musicians, who have brought new energy and depth to the ensemble.

100 Years of a Great Composer

To mark Nurgisa Tlendiyev's 100th anniversary, memorial concerts and theatrical performances are being held across the country. The celebration will conclude with a special event in Paris.

My father’s centenary is a momentous occasion for the entire Kazakh nation. He loved his country deeply. Every one of his melodies is filled with that love. His image is always with me. His words and guidance still live in my heart,says Dinzukhra Tlendiyeva. 

Original Author: Alfiya Adambek