Famous composer Sultanali Rahmatov passes away

Renowned Uzbek composer Sultanali Rahmatov passed away today, July 28, at the age of 55 after a prolonged and serious illness, the Ministry of Culture reported.

Sultanali Rahmatov was born on January 13, 1970, in Tashkent. His parents, Ahmadjon Rahmatov and Oliya Omonova, passed away many years ago. Passionate about music from a young age, he graduated from the Republican Military Boys' Boarding School of Arts. During his youth, he was greatly influenced by the music of renowned composer Paul Mauriat and the group Enigma.

In 1987, he was admitted to the Tashkent Conservatory (now the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan). Rahmatov rose to public fame with his composition *“Uzbekistan”, which served as the opening theme for the “Assalom Oʻzbekiston” news and music program on Uzbek TV from 1994 to 2005. The piece was also featured at many national celebrations throughout Uzbekistan.

In January 1998, Rahmatov met singer Nilufar Saidova at the Institute of Theater and Art (now the Uzbek State Institute of Arts and Culture). The two later married but eventually divorced. They had two daughters together: Farina and Safina.

In 2010, he was honored with the title of Honored Worker of Culture of Uzbekistan. Sultanali Rahmatov is survived by eight children and two grandchildren.

His first solo concert was held in Almaty in 2006, with an estimated production cost of \$70,000. His debut concert in Uzbekistan took place in 2007 at the historic Registan Square in Samarkand.