"From My Beloved Osh": The Story of a Song That Became Osh's Unofficial Anthem

The song "Sadagam Oshtoy jerimden" holds a special place in the hearts of Osh residents, widely regarded as the city's unofficial anthem. Its origins trace back to the turbulent period following the 1990 Kyrgyz-Uzbek conflict, a time when Osh was recovering from widespread destruction and unrest. The melody emerged from composer Gulsjyr Sadybakasova, who was deeply affected by the devastation she witnessed upon returning from a tour.

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Many envy my land, should I hang an amulet against the evil eye?

During evenings under curfew, Sadybakasova worked on the melody, but struggled to find fitting lyrics. After approaching several poets without success, she turned to her own collection of poetry. She discovered a poem by Maya Osmunkulova that resonated deeply, particularly the lines: "Many envy my land, should I hang an amulet against the evil eye?" Sadybakasova felt these words perfectly captured the sentiment she sought. She added a chorus herself: "May it be protected from the evil eye, my dear Osh, may Suleiman-Pir protect my courageous people."

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May it be protected from the evil eye, my dear Osh, may Suleiman-Pir protect my courageous people.

The song premiered in the fall of 1990, performed by Sadybakasova's younger sister, Gulmira Ergeshova, to an audience of 10,000. The powerful chorus reportedly moved the entire stadium to its feet in applause. Over the years, "Sadagam Oshtoy jerimden" has been sung by many artists, including Batma Sultanova and Mirbek Atabekov, ensuring its enduring legacy. The song's journey, however, was not without its complexities, with its authorship eventually becoming a subject of legal dispute before being settled.

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As soon as the chorus began, the entire stadium rose to its feet and started applauding.