Khan Shushinski: Coryphaeus of Azerbaijani Mugham Art
Isfandiyar Aslan oglu Javanshir was born on August 20, in 1901 in Shusha, the cultural capital of Karabakh. His father Aslan bey grandchild of Mahammad Javanshir who is from dynasty of Panahali Khan, the founder and first ruler of Azerbaijan’s Karabakh khanate. From an early age, Isfandiyar showed an interest in music. He stood out among his peers with his talent and voice. This did not go unnoticed. The renowned khanende Islam Abdullayev, also known as Segah Islam, took the young Isfandiyar under his wing and taught him the secrets of performing arts.
The name Khan Shushinski has a special history and holds an important place in his creative biography. During one of the musical events in the village of Novruzlu (in Aghdam), a gramophone played the mugham “Kurd Shahnaz” performed by Abulhasan Khan from Tabriz, who had been honored by the Iranian shah for his amazing voice and superb performance with the title “Khan”. The teacher asked Isfandiyar to perform the mugham live. His virtuoso and emotional performance delighted the audience, and someone exclaimed: “This guy is a real Khan!” From that moment on, the young artist earned the nickname Khan, which was bestowed upon him by Islam Abdullayev, who said: “Isfandiyar! From this day on, you are Khan Shushinski.” Thus, Isfandiyar Javanshir entered the history of Azerbaijani music under the name “Khan Shushinski”.
Starting from the 1920s, Khan Shushinski actively expanded his performing activities in Baku. His repertoire included classical mugham pieces like “Bayati-Gajar”, “Mahur-Hindi”, “Gatar”; Zerbi-mugham (rhythmic mugham) pieces like “Karabakh shikastasi”, “Arazbari”, “Heyrati”; as well as various folk songs. He especially experimented widely in performing folk songs, introducing melodic and emotional innovations. Khan Shushinski, recognized not only as a performer but also as a composer, is the author of many well-known songs. Many of his songs – “Gamarim”, “Ay gozal”, “Menden gen gezme”, “Gozal yarim”, “Al yanaginda”, “Shushanin daghlari”, “Daghlarda chichek”, and “Olurem, a jeyran bala” are among his famous compositions. Although over time many of these songs are often presented as folk songs, their melodies and lyrics are unique and belong to Khan Shushinski.
In the history of Azerbaijani music, Khan Shushinski was one of the first artists to perform mugham with a symphony orchestra. His duet with Shovket Alakbarova named “Yaylig” became the first duet in the history of Azerbaijani music to be recorded on tape. He also turned to the works of Uzeyir Hajibeyli. It is said that Uzeyir bey took special pleasure in listening to the song “Garagoz” performed by Khan Shushinski. These mutual creative relationships have left a significant mark on the promotion and development of national music.
In addition to his concert activities, Khan Shushinski devoted a lot of attention to teaching. In 1960, he founded the “Mugham Studio” at the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic, teaching young khanande the art of mugham. He also taught at the Azerbaijan State Music School and created a new generation of mugham singers. His students played a significant role in the future development of Azerbaijani musical art.
Khan Shushinski also highly represented Azerbaijani music abroad. In 1943, he was awarded with the title of People’s Artist and later with different honor awards.
Isfandiyar Javanshir, who carried the responsibility and spiritual burden of the name “Khan” throughout his life, is remembered not only as a historical figure in Azerbaijani mugham art, but also as its living memory. Unfortunately, the legacy of this great artist has reached us in the form of a limited number of vocal recordings – only 240 minutes. Nevertheless, these recordings play an important role as documentary sources, allowing us to feel his rich timbre, performance technique, and unique style.
Khan Shushinski passed away in 1979 and was buried in the Second Alley of Honors, in the city of Baku.
Recommended literature:
- Çəmənli, Mustafa. Xan Şuşinski / M. Çəmənli. - Bakı : Şərq-Qərb, 2017. - 168 s.
- Xan Şuşinski (İsfəndiyar Aslan oğlu Cavanşirov) : biblioqrafiya = Хан Шушинский (Исфендияр Аслан оглу Джаванширов) : библиография / Azərbaycan Respublikası Mədəniyyət Nazirliyi, Azərbaycan Milli Kitabxanası ; tərt. H. Manafova ; elmi red. K. M. Tahirov ; red. E. Nəciyev ; ön sözün müəl. S. Fərəcov. - Bakı : M.F. Axundov adına Milli Kitabxana, 2021. - 188 s.
- Vəliyeva, Bəyimxanım Ənvər qızı. Azərbaycan xanəndəlik sənətinin böyük ustadı Xan Şuşinski : monoqrafiya / B. Ə. Vəliyeva ; elmi red. L. Ş. Hüseynova ; Azərbaycan Milli Konservatoriyası. - Bakı : Unicopy, 2023. - 148 s.