Flora Karimova

Flora Alakbar gyzy Karimova (Flora Ələkbər qızı Kərimova; born July 23, 1941) is an Azerbaijani pop, mugam and opera singer, actress.

Flora Karimova was born in Baku on July 23, 1941.

By her own accord, she was an unwanted child; her mother had attempted to terminate the pregnancy, which was not possible at the time due to the anti-abortion laws in the Soviet Union.

Although Karimova began her professional music career in 1954, by singing Indian's marvels series music, (composed by Shafiga Akhundova) she became popular in the 1960s.

At the time, she mostly sang Soviet style Pop and Classic style songs, between 1955 and 1967.

In the early 1960s, Karimova started her career by singing Fikrat Amirov's songs.

She also performed in the ensemble choir of Medical University.

After 1962, she was invited for the second time to sing in a film, "Boyuk Dayaq."

Karimova sang "Perishanin mahnisi" composed by Fikrat Amirov.

Subsequently, she continued to cover professional songs by popular composers, including, Fikrat Amirov (Sevil Operasi), Seid Rustamov, Rauf Hajiyev, Tofig Bakikhanov, Aghabajy Rzayeva, Tofiq Ahmedov, Alakbar Taghiyev, Tamilla Mammadzade, Shafiqa Axundova, Ramiz Mustafayev, Suleyman Asgerov, Safar Sheykhov, Tofig Guliyev, Ramiz Mustafayev, and her first husband, Prof. Doctor Ibrahim Topchubashov (İbrahim Topçubaşov).

The next significant proposal was made by Bahram Mansurov, who persuaded Karimova to perform the Leyla role on "Leyla and Majnun Opera" in Opera and Ballet Theater.

Although Flora khanum rejected at first, Mr. Mansurov insisted her to play the role, preparing her himself.

In 1965, Karimova was admitted to the Narimanov Medical Institute majoring in medical business and graduated in 1971.

In 1966, she appeared on the stage of Opera and Ballet whose proponent was Arif Babayev.

Arif Babayev started his professional career playing Majnun sharing stage with Karimova at that time.

This drew millions of audience to watch first ever history in Leyla & Majnun with great passion and excitement, enjoying Opera in Flora Karimova's 4 octave voice.

This event became one of the most successful performances for "Leyla and Majnun Opera."

Upon realizing her Pop-rock vocal voice was tuning out in favor of national mugham style, she stopped altogether and left the theater for good after 8 times of performing "Leyla and Majnun."

Performing "Leyla and Majnun" launched her into fame and popularity.

Her reputation dramatically increased and drew more attention and adoration.

Flora Karimova had a unique and cute laugh adored by millions of her followers and poets were devoted to her kind and lively laugh.

Tofig Guliyev composed "Sən mənimsən mən sənin" (You are mine and İ am yours) for her and asked her to sing it.

After 1967, Karimova began singing national orchestra based rock and Jazz style songs, becoming the first person to do so in the field.

Her unique voice appealed to audiences around the country.

Karimova pioneered Azerbaijan Soviet Music History by being the first to sing rock and roll.

She had a duet with the Soviet pop singer, Gulagha Mammadov (Gülağa Məmmədov).

Karimova sang some of the most popular songs first time at the concert, such as Reyhan, Telebe, Okhu Tar, Gejeler Bulak Bashi, Dalghalar, Qurban adina, Men seni araram, Gulerem Gulsen, Geceler, Geceler bulaq bashi, Azerbaycanim, Maralim Gel, Lirik Mahni, Sen menimsen men senin, Sachlarina Gul duzum, Sevirem Seni, Sevmeyir qoy sevmesin, Bakinin isihiqlari, Baki geceleri, Gelmedi yar, Getme-getme, Uzaq yashil ada, Bele qemli dayanma, Kepenek and so on.

She also sang the soundtracks for most theater, films, and cartoons.

Her famous soundtracks were Qaynana, Alma Almaya Benzer, Baki sabahin xeyir, Gece yaman uzundur, Ey heyat sen ne qeribesen, Onun Belali sevgisi, Evleri Kondelen yar, as well as cartoon soundtracks are Tiq Tiq xanim (Pis pisa xanim) ve Sichan bey, Humayin yuxusu, Toplan among others.

In 1967, she was invited to take a part in the film of "Qanunnamine."

Director Ehsen Dadashov deluded her as she remembers: "I was firstly promised to play a role of Balash, who was a second part minor character in the film. But in fact, they had been preparing me for the main role of Zulyekha. After all in a sudden, I was told that I had been opted for a main role, and there was actually no way I could reject it."

In "Qanunnamine" she showed her crafty and sophisticated artistic skills and represented her character with high approval modelling.

However, after this successful performance, she was invited to star in other film that she had to turn down because of her husband's death (Ibrahim Topchubashov)

Flora khanym sang various genres of music.

In her early repertoire started Azerbaijan Turkic National style of Folk songs those were composed by Alakbar Taghiyev.

She is the first singer who sang together with famous Azerbaijan singer Gulagha Mammadov.

They had several songs such as Tiblisi, Shirin Arzular.

In this sequence she sang most famous songs which were very well-known and popular at time.

From 1972 to 1977, she studied at the Azerbaijan State Conservatory specializing in vocal arts, where she strengthened her voice to four octaves.

During this period, she became a popular Azerbaijan Soviet pop singer.