August 13 is the birthday of Elmira Rahimova, People’s Artist and singer of Azerbaijan.
Sea-news.az reports that Elmira Rahimova was born in Baku in 1941.
She graduated from the Azerbaijan State Music Technical School in 1965 and the Azerbaijan State Institute of Languages in 1970. She has been a soloist of the Azerbaijan State Philharmonic and the Azerbaijan State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company since 1956.
Elmira Rahimova became known as a performer of Indian songs in the late 1950s. At the invitation of India’s former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, she visited India twice and learned Indian songs and dances. She performed songs by Azerbaijani composers with a unique mastery.
The days spent in India turned into an unforgettable memory in Elmira Rahimova’s life. Here, she met Jawaharlal Nehru, his daughter Indira Gandhi, as well as famous movie stars Raj Kapoor, Gopal, Nargis, and other prominent figures.
The proposal of an Indian prince to her caused quite a stir in Azerbaijan at that time. However, Elmira Rahimova preferred to marry in her homeland—Azerbaijan. The artist, who performed in concert programs in more than 60 countries around the world, became a laureate of the festival held in India in 1982.
E. Rahimova performed the songs of Azerbaijani composers with a unique mastery. Songs she sang, such as “Ana laylası” (Mother’s Lullaby), “Küsüb məndən” (She/He is offended with me), “Sənin gülüşlərin” (Your Smiles), and “Mən anayam” (I am a Mother), brought the singer eternal fame.
She was awarded the “For Distinction in Labor” medal in 1959. Elmira Rahimova, who received the honorary title of “Honored Artist of the Azerbaijan SSR” in 1967, was awarded the Honorary Decree of the Supreme Soviet of the Azerbaijan SSR in 1979.
Elmira Rahimova, who was awarded the honorary title of “People’s Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan” in 2000, became an individual pensioner of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2002.
She has a son named Anand and two grandchildren.
