Shamshi Kaldayakov is a person whose melodies sound in the soul of every Kazakhstani. A composer whose name has become a symbol Kazakh song, whose waltzes circle generations in the rhythm of love and nostalgia.

Born 15 August 1930 in the Otrar region. At birth he received the name Zhamshid, but the affectionate “Shamshi” took root among the people - that’s how he was recorded in the documents.

It would seem that fate was preparing him for a completely different profession— he graduated from a veterinary college. But the call of music turned out to be stronger. He studied at the Tashkent Musical College school, then at the Almaty Conservatory. However, his path was not easy. In 1959 he was expelled from the conservatory with the wording “for incorrect harmony.” Who would have thought what exactly will this “wrong” music become the voice of an entire nation?

Kaldayakov – author more than 55 songs. Each of them is a story, a love, a memory. “Ak Sunkarym”, “Kara Koz”, “Kayykta”, “Ak Bantik” - his lyrical works have become soundtracks to the lives of millions of people. But, of course, his greatest creation is the anthem of Kazakhstan, which became official in 2006 .

People called him “the king of the waltz.” He connected the Kazakh soul with the sound waltz, creating the legendary songs: “Kuanysh walsi”, “Kaidasyn”, “Bakyt kushagynda”. Moscow three times rejected his candidacy for the Union of Composers, since he did not have a higher musical education. And only after his death, during the years of independence, he received recognition which he deserved during his lifetime.

Shamshi Kaldayakov did not just write music – he created a story that continues in hearts people.