International Art project

“AEROSPIRANTAE – Airbreathers – Nafaskashon”

Concept: Pavel Achilov and Daler Nazarov

We are not just a project team; we are a creative group of like-minded people. There are several dozens of us, and we represent different occupations: there are musicians, artists, choreographers, film directors, cinematographers, businessmen, craftsmen – all united by a common idea.

When we were making our first trips to India, the land of music, we were a much smaller group.

This all happened thanks to Pasha. He had only recently discovered India himself. He thought it was a blessed land and everyone who visited India had a priceless chance to rediscover the whole wide world and find a way to their own heart. Pasha wanted to show the beauty of India to everyone. But we were all busy with our everyday lives and didn’t believe we’d be able to break free from our daily hassles… But Pasha managed to persuade us. Persuasion was one of his talents. In fact, everything Pasha did was beautiful and easy-going, so in this beautiful and easy-going manner he made us – Pasha, Marusia, Max and Daler - come to India. Every location, every event was like a discovery to us, and every one of us kept saying: “What a pity that the others are not here with us.” So the others caught up as well… Feerooz, Majid, Sasha Akilov, Rafael, Mohsira… Friends, friends of friends… In fact, Pasha was finding new friends everywhere and every day. He had no difficulties in overcoming language barriers; he could penetrate any culture; he discussed the most difficult subjects over the phone by using just a few English phrases he knew, and he was always understood… That was probably because he talked directly to people’s hearts, and that’s a language everyone understands.

Most of us celebrated the New Year 2008 in India, at the wedding of Pasha and Marusia. Their house was always full of friends. Later, in spring, we got together in Sri Lanka for Amurchik’s birthday. One day, when sitting by the ocean and sipping coconut milk, Pasha and Daler talked about how to share all this with as much people as possible. We were listening to Daler’s music, “Nafaskashon” song was playing, and Pasha asked what the title meant. “Airbreathers,” Daler answered.

It often happened that Daler merely mentioned an idea of his to Pasha, and Pasha immediately picked up on it. Then he called someone on the phone, and in no time we were already on the road to somewhere, and everything we had been talking about was suddenly coming true – in that beautiful and easy-going manner. Pasha was picturing in detail how other Daler’s friends and musicians would arrive – Iqbol, Yasha and the entire Shams band; how they would get a suntan, adapt to the local life and enjoy themselves and swim in the ocean… And there’ll be music and dance… Bonfires and new friends… And, more importantly – concerts, big and small… For everyone…

So everything happened according to the plan, except that Pasha died shortly before we went to India again. We were all devastated. We had talked to him the day before he died, wishing him a happy birthday. We didn’t know what to do next… But then Marusia said that nothing had to change, and everything would happen just as Pasha had said… So off we went… The trip was marked with the release of two albums: “On The Road Again” and “Aerospirantae”.

We gave a few concerts in Moscow where Mohsira enriched the programme with her dance show, and on November 16 we flew off to Goa where Marusia was waiting for us…

We brought along the movie we had filmed with Pasha in Crimea last summer. While doing the editing, we decided unanimously that “Breathing” should be dedicated to Pasha.

Every journey is an important experience, but that particular trip was simply unforgettable for all of us. Two months of travel; new friends; the rich Indian culture; the art; the unique energy of that fantastic land – it has all given us an unbelievable lot of new impressions.

Back home, still under the impression of the trip, we also organized several concerts for our compatriots.

(To be continued)

Project members:

Daler Nazarov’s band:

Daler Nazarov, Yodgor Odinamamadov, Bahodur Davlatov, Iqbol Zavkibekov, Yadidya Ilyaev, Zarif Pulodov, Nobovar Chanorov, Muborakqadam Mashrabov, Shahriniso Yakovleva, Anvarsho Gulomaidarov, Daler Sultonov, Shanbe Mahmadganimov, Qurbonhussein Alishaev, Shawqmamad Pulodov, Faizmamad Nazariev, Daler Palaev.

Mohsira Dance Theatre:

Alla Madygulova, Tatyana Fominskaya, Irina Zadumina, Tatyana Sergun, Sofia Sarkisian, Evgenia Melnikova, Ekaterina Khoroshilova, Kristina Gumarova, Elena Novozhilova, Kholida

Producer team:

Maxim Sechko, Feerooz Shabdolov, Mohsira, Azamat Hasanov, Zafar Teshaev, Sergei Ataev

Special support:

Vavilon-M CJSC, Nazim Nadirov, Irina Zadumina, Alexander Akilov, Alexander Krestovskikh, Vladimir Khomyakov, Viktoria Shikhovtsova, Georgy Dzalaev, Boris Khushvakhtov, Arthur Zerich, students of JazSmin Studio School

Administration team:

Polina Khomyakova, Diana Saipova, Tatyana Prokhorova

Technical team:

Pulod Pulodov, Alisher Abdulofizov (IT), Parviz Odinaev (lighting), Khurshed Nurov, Imom Pirimshoev, Timur Babakhanov

Other Airbreathers:

Marina Kublitskaya, Amurchik Achilov, JP, Lyolya and Misha, Katya and Maxim, Marina Yakunina, Hakim Hazratkulov