to live not only for the sake of
earning but also for ones family and home

By SEVARA NAZARHAN

A young Uzbek singer, who thanks to her obstinacy and liking for hard work has become famous far beyond the boundaries of Uzbekistan Her tender lyrical voice, fascinates thousands of listeners. Any of Sevara's songs is a colourful fusion of classic, style contemporaneity and rich national traditions of the East.

Q: What is your background? Where were you born and where did you grow up?

A: My parents are from Tashkent. Before I was born, my father was posted to Andijan, in the Ferghana Valley, as principal of the Andijan Music School. I was born there but my parents, who are both musicians, came returned to Tashkent and that's where I grew up.

Q: As a child, how did you envision your future?

A: In our home, we lived music, we spoke about music all the time, we had a stream of visiting musicians who each contributed their own views on music. Growing up in this environment 1 myself of course from the start saw my future in music. My mother sent me to music school to learn the Dutar. I didn't like those lessons, you know, I wanted to play the violin. Now I understand my mother's motives. She was right to direct me towards my own culture, I find inspiration and delight in folk songs.

Q: Did you get a professional music education?

A: Earlier this year I graduated from the M. Ashrafi Tashkent State Conservatory.

Q: What are your favorite places to go out for a meal?

A: I like the cuisine at:'Gruzia" the Georgian restaurant at Pushkin Street, and I also favor the 'New Shanghai"Restaurant on Babur Street.

Q: What quality do you value most in people?

A: Decency, discipline, humor and kindness.

Q: What is your idea of mundane happiness?

A: To live not only for the sake of earning but also for ones family and home.

Q: What is your star sign?

A: I am "Capricorn" though in fact none of my friends or acquaintances would guess so. One can believe or not in the stars but in any case one can judge a person only though his deeds and attitude towards life.

Q: How do you relax and "re-charge your batteries"?

A: I like to do macrame and I regularly run in the morning. I don't have a lot of free time but I like to read, watch a movie and go for a swim.

Q: Who is the designer that creates your "style"?

A: Style...I have never thought of "style" or "image". For every day use I prefer clothes that I am comfortable in and shop at United Coloures of Benton and the small shops at Tashkent Plaza Mall. Sasha, the designer and taylor at Human Wear, helps me to create my stage wardrobe.

Q: What music do you listen to in private? What music makes you feel good?

A: I listen to a variety of tunes and styles. European, classical, Uzbek folk music, pop and also American jazz standards. Recently I was invited to Samarkand where I held a jam session with Edward Musaelian who plays the piano at Cafe Blues. He can really swing and it was a wonderful experience. There is more jazz in Uzbekistan than you'd ever think and devoted jazz musicians keep the jazz scene alive. Also recently I played together with the Sogdiana Ensemble of National Music and the Scottish rock group Iron Horse; proof that music connects people regardless of their origin. On the other hand I definitely hate hack workers in music.