Today marks the 102nd anniversary of the birth of People's Artist Shafiga Akhundova

January 21 marks the 102nd anniversary of the birth of the outstanding composer, people's artist, and recipient of the "Shohrat" order Shafiga Akhundova.

BAKU.WS reminds that Shafiga Akhundova was born on January 21, 1924, in the city of Sheki. She completed secondary school in Baku, studied at the Asaf Zeynalli Baku Music College and, after graduating from the Azerbaijan State Conservatory named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli in 1956, received higher music education specializing in "Music Theory and Composition".

Being a member of the Azerbaijan Composers Union since 1943, alongside her professional activities, Sh. Akhundova worked at the Azerbaijan State Opera and Ballet Theater from 1943-1945, and taught at the Azerbaijan Institute of Arts from 1956-1989.

In 1972, she wrote the opera "Bride's Rock" based on the story of the same name by Suleyman Rahimov. This was the first opera in the East written by a woman. In 1973, Shafiga Akhundova was awarded the title of Honored Art Worker of the Azerbaijan SSR, and in 1998 - People's Artist of Azerbaijan. In 2004, the composer was awarded the "Shohrat" order.

Sh. Akhundova's rich creative work includes the operetta "Our Home, Our Secret," suites for large symphony orchestras, choral works, "Aydin," "Why Do You Live?," "Tiger's Tale," "Birthday" and other children's performances, hundreds of songs and romances. She wrote songs to the lyrics of Suleyman Rustam, Nabi Khazri, Bakhtiyar Vahabzade, Ziver Agayeva, Nariman Hasanzade, Mustafa Iskenderzade, Rukhsara Ibadova, Masuma Aliyeva, Pasha Galbinur and others.

Her work, which is an example of true service to art and the people, played an important role in educating young people in the spirit of reverence for national and spiritual values and in forming their musical taste.

Shafiga Akhundova died on July 26, 2013, and was buried in the Alley of Honor in Baku.