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  • A passionate Samandar on vocals and guitar. Samandar articulates that art has “no language or border and can easily be understood, is appreciated across different corners of the globe, and can have a multifaceted positive impact on society.”
    The.Ismaili | 05 March 2018 | Jubilee Arts

    Pulodov Samandar Rustamovich: Fusing traditional with contemporary

    A passionate Samandar on vocals and guitar. Samandar articulates that art has “no language or border and can easily be understood, is appreciated across different corners of the globe, and can have a multifaceted positive impact on society.”
  • Samandar with his fellow group members. Samandar feels as though an artist community helps artists to “reflect beliefs and identity and to preserve the differences and the unity of the community and of our Jamat.”
    The.Ismaili | 05 March 2018 | Jubilee Arts

    Pulodov Samandar Rustamovich: Fusing traditional with contemporary

    Samandar with his fellow group members. Samandar feels as though an artist community helps artists to “reflect beliefs and identity and to preserve the differences and the unity of the community and of our Jamat.”
  • Samandar Rustamovich passionately singing. He says his music is “a research of graceful balance between natural harmony of Pamiri folk and sacred music, original sounds, compositions, and arrangements.”
    The.Ismaili | 05 March 2018 | Jubilee Arts

    Pulodov Samandar Rustamovich: Fusing traditional with contemporary

    Samandar Rustamovich passionately singing. He says his music is “a research of graceful balance between natural harmony of Pamiri folk and sacred music, original sounds, compositions, and arrangements.”

Meet Samandar. Born and raised in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast region of Tajikistan to a Pamiri Ismaili family where music was appreciated and practiced daily.

From the age of 12 Samandar began singing songs passed down from his own family—his father, older generations of family members, grandmasters, and even old Soviet music he picked up from school. Samandar went on to learn how to read music in St. Petersburg, Russia and played with a pop music group on various stages. He attributes his musical and performance talents to his early exposure to different cultures and influences, allowing him to “create an ethnic fusion of music that harmoniously connects music of the world.” Speaking of his music work, Samandar comments that it is, “a research of graceful balance between natural harmony of Pamiri folk and sacred music, original sounds, compositions, and arrangements.”

Samandar sees art as having a historical role. He believes that art is a “way to reinforce social and moral values.” He articulates that art is a form of education, teaching people to understand one another and live with peace and love. His inspiration comes from Mawlana Hazar Imam, the Jamat, his family, Persian poets, thinkers, and mystics. His multifaceted depth of exposure helps him blend his music with influences from Ismaili traditions, Asian melodies, and contemporary world music.

In reflecting on Jubilee Arts, Samandar comments that, “It will invigorate and stimulate creative processes within the global Jamat.” He goes on to say that it will provide a community for artists as well as an avenue to reflect and experience “a full range for expression and healing.” Undoubtedly, Samandar’s excitement comes from the opportunity for the community to come together, connect, and celebrate something so ingrained in his heart and daily life.

Jubilee Arts and the International Arts Festival provide an opportunity for artists, both budding and professional, to showcase their unique gifts. We encourage all artists within the Jamat to participate in this Diamond Jubilee international programme. Follow the Jubilee Arts journey on the.ismaili/jubilee-arts.