Growing into Music - Azerbaijan: The ancient arts of mugham and ashiq in the 21st century HD

This documentary shot on location between 2009-2012 is about children from urban and rural areas of Azerbaijan who study traditional music to become professional musicians, or to play it just for their own pleasure. The film follows them in mugham classes at the Central Bulbul Music School, in ashiq classes at the Baku music school No. 22, outdoors in Gedabey and Shamakhy, on different concert stages, or in their homes among their parents and relatives. Many of the children come from the families of established Azerbaijani traditional musicians, such as singers Alim Gasimov and Gochag Askarov, or instrumentalists Shirzad Fataliyev (balaban, zurna), Mirjavad Jafarov (tar, ud), Mehman Mikayilov (tar). However, most of these children come from ordinary families from Azerbaijani towns and villages; some of the families were ousted from Azerbaijani settlements in Armenia. They had to flee from occupation, and found temporary refuge in Baku. They left behind everything: their homes, their belongings, family photos, memories. What they have managed to take with them and pass down to their children though, was their great love for Azerbaijani music. A film by Sanubar Baghirova Edited by Michele Banal Filmed by Nicolas Magriel (2009) and Michele Banal (2012) 2013 Growing into Music. Funded by AHRC - Beyond Text