Turkmen Singer Ilyas Rejepov Appears on “Songs from the Whole Heart” Program
Turkmen musician Ilyas Rejepov, also known as Ilyas Pasha, recently made an appearance on the “Songs from the Whole Heart” program on the Rossiya 1 TV channel. The show, hosted by Andrei Malakhov, features conversations with interesting and talented individuals about their lives, dreams, and families, interspersed with musical performances.
During his appearance, Ilyas Rejepov performed his song “Years, how to detain you,” which he wrote to the lyrics of Valery Yatsenko. The song resonated with both Malakhov’s guests and the audience in the studio.
In addition to his performance, the presenter also took a trip down memory lane, showcasing Ilyas Rejepov’s time as the lead singer of the famous group “Gunesh” and sharing photos and recordings from that period, including the hit song “Djamilya.”
The mention of “Gunesh” sparked excitement among the guests, as they remembered the “legend” Rishad Shafi and the singer Aziza, who played the role of the oriental beauty in the group’s video for “Jamila.” Ilyas Rejepov shared that the group performed the song in 1989 on the popular program “Morning Mail,” marking Aziza’s first performance at the time.
During the show, Ilyas Rejepov also presented a handmade Turkmen carpet as a gift to showman Malakhov, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Turkmenistan. He also shared a short story from Ashgabat, which he described as “the most beautiful city in the world.”
The program culminated in a heartwarming moment when Ilyas Rejepov sang “Bella Ciao” with his grandchildren, prompting the audience to join in. The Italian tune was then unexpectedly replaced by a song with the lyrics “My address is not a house or a street, my address is the Soviet Union…” at the guest table.
The program, which aired on Sunday, February 18, can be viewed on the “We Watch” platform at any time.
Ilyas Rejepov’s appearance on “Songs from the Whole Heart” provided a captivating glimpse into his musical journey and the cultural treasures of Turkmenistan, leaving a lasting impression on both the audience and the show’s host, Andrei Malakhov.
