APersonIndependent states
Shamshi Kaldayakov
Composer (1930–1992), "king of the Kazakh waltz" and author of Kazakhstan's national anthem.
Shamshi Kaldayakov was born in southern Kazakhstan, played in a military band as a young man and then studied at the conservatory in Almaty.
He wrote hundreds of songs and, with simple, heartfelt and memorable melodies, is regarded as a founder of Kazakh popular song; "Meniñ Qazaqstanım", "Ana turaly zhyr" and "Aq erke Zhaiyq" are famous, and his many waltzes earned him the title "king of the Kazakh waltz".
"Meniñ Qazaqstanım", written in 1956, became the national anthem in 2006. His native village and the Shymkent philharmonic bear his name.
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Updated: October 2, 2026