Sarymbetov Kasymbek Abdikhalykuly

Sarymbetov Kasymbek Abdikhalykuly

The vast Kazakh steppe has never lacked talented sons. The soul and steppe of the Kazakhs are rich in kyuis and songs. Our history knows unique masters who made the black string of the dombra resound — rare talents and singular kyui performers who appear only once in a lifetime. One such exceptional gem, a multifaceted creative personality, is Kasymbek Abdikhalykuly Sarymbetov.

Born on June 18, 1952, in the village of Dikhankol, Tolebi District, South Kazakhstan Region, in a family of public servants, he absorbed the beauty of his native land’s nature. He finished eight grades in his village in 1967 and graduated with honours from secondary school No. 2 named after Sh. Ualikhanov in Lenger in 1967–1969. While still at school, he participated in city and regional academic and music olympiads, played in the school brass band, and honed his talent. From a young age he performed works by Kurmangazy and other folk kyui masters on the sacred dombra in front of schoolchildren and parents, attracting attention.

In 1969 he trained in Almaty at the DOSAAF club as a radio-TV technician and diesel engineer. He served in the Soviet Army in 1970–1972 in air defence (missile forces) at a command post. For exemplary service he was granted an extraordinary ten-day leave home, and his parents received a Letter of Gratitude.

In 1976 he graduated with honours from the Almaty Institute of National Economy as an accountant-economist. He began his career the same year as an accountant in the Almaty City Trade Department. Showing ability, he worked as a senior economist in the Ministry of Geology of the Kazakh SSR (1977–1979), then as senior merchandiser in Store No. 26 in Shymkent (1979–1982), later heading the personnel department of the city trade administration.

Respected by colleagues, honest and conscientious, he succeeded in every position. From 1982–1989 he directed Store No. 24, receiving numerous commendations and an Honour Certificate from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan. In 1989–1991 he served as referent and then economic advisor to the deputy chairman of the executive committee of the South Kazakhstan Regional Council.

From 1991–1996 he headed Shymkent’s Central Department Store, later serving with distinction as president of the joint-stock company “Shymkent Trade House”.

As the saying goes: “Among horses there are horses, the winged tulpar stands apart; among men there are men, the true man stands apart.” Possessing both intellect and heart, he engaged in private business from 1996 to 2000. As Abai said, “Both the eagle soars and the snake crawls to the peak,” yet he rose like an eagle, confidently and tirelessly.

From 2000 until retirement in 2015 he impeccably served as department head, chief specialist, and chief controller-auditor in the Financial Control Inspection for South Kazakhstan Region of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In 2001–2003 he was deputy chief accountant and leading financier at the Shymkent branch of Kazakhstan Temir Zholy.

For his contribution to the establishment of the civil service of independent Kazakhstan he was awarded the Honour Certificate of the Agency for Civil Service Affairs in 2011, and in 2012 the Honour Certificate of the Financial Control Committee of the Ministry of Finance and the medal “Exemplary Worker in the Protection of Citizens’ Rights”.

The noble blood and pure upbringing of his parents are clearly visible in him. His father, Sarymbetov Abdikhalyk, was a veteran of the Great Patriotic War and labour, actively participated in collectivisation, chaired the Zhambyl kolkhoz, served as deputy chairman and zootechnician, and retired in 1968. In his spare time he wrote poetry. A street in Dikhankol village is named after him. His mother, Akylbekova Altyn, was gifted in improvisational poetry (aitys). They raised twelve children; today their descendants number over one hundred.

Since 2009 Kasymbek-aga has been actively engaged in creative work. He is the author of over 110 notated songs, more than 40 kyuis, and two musical poems: “Mother’s Heart” and a poem dedicated to Abu Nasr al-Farabi. In 2011 his book “My Native Land is My Pedestal” was published; in 2019 the kyui collection “Kyran” appeared.

In 2014 the collection “100 Kyuis of the South” was published in Almaty by the Qazyghurt publishing house, including his kyuis “Kiiz basu-akzhelen”, “Dauir”, and “Shattyk”. His kyui “Baige” is performed by the Sugir Ali folk instruments orchestra of the regional philharmonic. The song “Tuğan elim” is performed by Honoured Artist of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, laureate of international contests, the famous singer Gulnara Sikymbayeva.

His works are in the repertoire of the regional philharmonic’s folk instruments orchestra and singers, and are broadcast on Kazakhstan-Shymkent radio.

For the song “Asyl ana” he won a prize in the “Amanat” nomination at the 6th Republican patriotic song contest “Elim meniń” and received an incentive award from the Ministry of Culture and Information of the RK. He took 3rd place for the song “Ońtústigim” at the republican contest of new songs dedicated to the 80th anniversary of South Kazakhstan Region. He has repeatedly won prizes at regional composers’ contests.

His songs and kyuis have been performed at school and college olympiads, for which he received numerous Letters of Gratitude.

Kasymbek Sarymbetov’s creative work covers a wide range of themes and images — lyrical and patriotic, dedicated to the native land and historical figures. His poetic and musical gifts merge; songs are born from his poems. His kyuis follow traditional tokpe and shertpe styles. Regardless of his professional path, his works are a brilliant example of revealing the human spiritual world and harmoniously enrich Kazakh national culture.

Information about his creative work regularly appears in republican newspapers and magazines (“Jaña Sholpan”, “Qazyghurt”, “Shańyraq kelbeti”, “Döńgelengen dünie”, “Ońtüstik Qazaqstan”, etc.). Data about him are included in the bibliographic reference book “Kyui Performers of South Kazakhstan”. He is a member of the Veterans’ Council of Trade Workers of the region.

His wife, Näsia Nurmakhanbetkyzy Altaeva, for over 25 years headed the regional children’s library named after Y. Altynsarin and the regional universal scientific library named after A.S. Pushkin; she is an Honoured Cultural Worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The couple raised daughter Aiman and son Dauren and rejoice in four grandchildren: Alibek, Omar, Mariya, and Khalima.

Kasymbek Abdikhalykuly is a creative personality who has made a significant contribution to the spirituality of his people and nation, a respected citizen, a faithful and caring husband, a father towering like a mountain peak, a favourite of the people and the country, a wise elder enjoying his grandchildren. The name of talented people lives forever in the nation’s memory. The heroism of creators is an eternal example!