Shashmaqom Music

　　The situation for performers became extremely difficult in the 1930s when the Soviet regime imposed a cultural policy hostile to Shashmaqom. In spite of this, the Uzbekistan State Television and Radio Committee formed a Shashmaqom ensemble in the 1950s. Since 1991 when Uzbekistan and Tajikistan gained independence, many measures have been taken to safeguard Shashmaqom and to re-establish its social significance in both countries. Beginning in the 1970s, many of the best-known Shashmaqom performers emigrated from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to diaspora communities in Israel and the United States. Nowadays, only a few performers have maintained local performance styles as taught by independent teachers. With the passing of many Shashmaqom masters, the overwhelming majority of present-day performers in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are graduates of the Tashkent Conservatory, which offers training in Shashmaqom composition.

　　The action plan makes provisions for training preservation and transmission specialists and undertaking field research with a view to compiling an inventory and a network of experts. Additional initiatives include organizing seminars and international conferences, producing audio-visual material, publishing Shashmaqom manuscripts and supporting the production of musical instruments by traditional techniques.