Yalla (band)

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Yalla
Yalla on a 2021 stamp of Uzbekistan
Background information
Origin	Uzbekistan
Genres	Folk rock
Years active	1973–present
Members	Farrukh Zokirov Abbos Aliyev Javlon Tokhtayev Timur Khalikov

Yalla (Uzbek: Ялла, Yalla) is a folk rock band from Uzbekistan.^[1] They appeared in 1970 and in the 1970s–1980s and were popular across the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact countries. The most prominent song of Yalla was "Учкуду́к, три коло́дца" (trans. Uchkuduk, tri kalodtsa; Russian for "Uchkuduk, three water wells"), released in 1981, and one of the most popular hits in the USSR in 1980s. They sing in Uzbek, Russian, and occasionally some other languages, such as Arabic, German and Tatar.^{[citation needed]}

The band is led by Farrukh Zokirov and directed by Igor Khalikov, with additional members including Abbos Aliyev, Javlon Tokhtayev and Timur Khalikov.^[2][3] The members of Yalla are graduates of the Ostrovsky Theatrical Art Institute and the Ashrafi State Conservatory in Tashkent. Their music incorporates traditional ethnic folk tunes and poetry of Uzbekistan and other Central Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, along with contemporary pop and dance influences, into a unique international blend.^{[citation needed]}

The band initially formed in 1973,^[3] with Farrukh Zokirov taking on the role of artistic director in 1976.^[4] Following this, Yalla appeared on Soviet national television as well as performing in Moscow and elsewhere in the Soviet Union, and on concert tours in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America, including featured appearances at the "Voice of Asia" festival.^{[citation needed]}

At the time of collapse of the Soviet Union, the independence of Uzbekistan led to Yalla adopting a more traditional style of music. This included releasing new songs such as Uzbekistan and Bez lubimyh glaz and inviting dancer Roza Abdulhairiva to perform alongside them. Around this time, musical arranger and bass guitar player Rustam Ilyasov also left the band due to his moving to the United States, being replaced by Tolkin Isakov who was previously a percussion teacher at the Tashkent State Conservatory. Percussionist Ibragim Aliev also joined the band around this time.^{[citation needed]}

In 2019, the group performed at the opening ceremony of the Humo Arena in Tashkent.^[5] In 2023, an event was held to commemmorate the 50th anniversary of the band's formation.^[3]

• Yalla discography at Discogs