11.12.2019

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov: Valentina Iltsaranova is a public treasure

Elista celebrated the 80th anniversary of the great Kalmyk singer Valentina Ilzaranova. On 1 December, the Elista College of Art named after P.O. Chonkushova hosted the Kalmyk Song Festival named after Valentina Iltsaranova.

Valentina Badminovna Iltsaranova was born on 6 October 1939 at Zapadny state farm in Kalmyk ASSR. She died on 14 of January 2010. She was People's Artist of the Russian Federation, Honorary Citizen of the Republic of Kalmykia and Laureate of the Kalmyk ASSR Prize named after Hero of the Soviet Union Oka Ivanovich Gorodovikov.

 

It’s impossible to list all the titles and awards of the famous singer. Each song performed by the artist became a masterpiece of vocal art: “Harada”, “Elstin Waltz”, “Torga” became the visiting card of the performer. Iltsaranova actively toured Kalmykia and abroad, she was always ready to go to the most remote villages of Kalmykia.

A special place in the creative biography of the artist was occupied by the National Orchestra of Kalmykia. Cheering for Kalmyk art, the singer generously shared the wealth of her repertoire and her experience with its young team; she also tried to support novice performers.
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov said that, according to Valentina Badminovna, she learned many compositions from her grandmother back in Siberian exile. Kirsan Nikolaevich admired the singer and was friends with her. For him, she was a brilliant nugget, an outstanding folk talent.
“People called Valentina Badminovna “the steppe lark,” Ilyumzhinov recalls. - The songs "Elstin Waltz" and "Ezhin Dun" forever immortalized the name of the great artist. Valentina Iltsaranova is a national treasure. ”