MODERN EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Выпуск журнала №-26
Часть–7_ Май –2025
247
THE HISTORY OF THE ORIGIN OF THE DUTOR INSTRUMENT AND ITS
PLACE IN UZBEKISTAN MUSICAL ART
ABSATOVA MUNISA ABDUSALAM QIZI
Termez State Pedagogical Institute, Faculty of Physical Culture and Arts,
Music Education, student group 23-01
Scientific supervisor: M. Khojageldiyeva
Senior teacher of the Department of Musical Skills and Culture
Annotatsiya: Maqolada O’zbek milliy cholg’ularidan biri bo’lgan Dutorning
kelib chiqishi tarixi , tuzilishi, ijrochilik an’analari haqida tahlil qilindi.
Kalit so’zlar: dutor, o‘zbek milliy cholg‘usi, torli-chertma asbob, maqom, xalq
musiqasi, dutor ijrochiligi, dutor tarixi, dutor tuzilishi, milliy musiqa, o‘zbek san’ati.
Abstract: The article analyzed the history, structure, performance traditions
of Dutor, one of the Uzbek national musical instruments.
Key words: dutor, Uzbek national musical instrument, string instrument, status,
folk music, dutor performance, history of dutor, structure of dutor, national music,
Uzbek art.
INTRODUCTION
“The dutor is a plucked stringed musical instrument, widespread in almost all
countries of Central Asia, as well as in many foreign Eastern countries. The
performance of musicians who have mastered the art of playing the dutor, as well as
examples of professional and amateur creativity, have been passed down from
generation to generation and have become a tradition of preservation among the
population that has lived in Uzbekistan for centuries. The melodies of songs, chants
and instrumental melodies performed on the dutor and accompanied by the dutor
contain a lyrical and philosophical content, colored by the works of the representatives
of oriental classical literature Lutfi, Navoi, Atoi, Babur, as well as Zebiniso, Uvaysi,
Nodira, Mahzuna, Ojiza and others. The diversity and richness of the dutor melodies
MODERN EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Выпуск журнала №-26
Часть–7_ Май –2025
248
reflect the aspects of the people's lifestyle and culture. "It embodies the exquisite
brilliance of the musical thinking of the peoples of the East."
The word dutor is a symbol of art historically closely related to the musical
culture of the Uzbek people. The first information about the dutor was given to us by
Mawlana Zaynulobiddin al-Husayni to Alisher Navoi. We find it in the treatise “The
Blood of Musical Science and Practice”, written in the second half of the 15th century.
This treatise mentions the dutor instrument, which at that time consisted of 11 frets
tuned in intervals of a fourth. The source providing information about the dutor and
dutor instruments is “Risolai muziqiy”, written 200 years after Al-Husayni’s treatise,
and its author is the khanchi musician Darvish Ali bin Mirzo Ali bin Khoja-Mahmud
Marvarid. This work by Darvish Ali consists of two parts: historical and theoretical.
DISCUSSION AND RESULTS
Dutor alt- is considered to be a type of traditional dutor that emerged in the
1930s. Dutor is a traditional two-stringed musical instrument in Central Asia, Iran, and
South Asia. Dutor is one of the Uzbek folk instruments, a two-stringed, wooden, and
silk or metal stringed plucked instrument. Dutor is widespread among the peoples of
Central Asia and has an ancient history.
The word dutor comes from the Persian-Tajik words "du" (two) and "tor"
(thread, string), meaning "two-stringed". The origin of the dutor dates back several
centuries. Its early forms may have originated in China, India, and Iran, but it took on
a unique form in Central Asia and developed as an Uzbek national instrument. Among
the people, the dutor performers were mostly women. Dutor performance was
especially developed in the Khorezm and Bukhara schools. Famous composers and
hafiz constantly used the dutor in their art.
The first written information about the dutor can be found in Chapter XVI of
the treatise “Scientific and Practical Rules of Music” by Navoi’s contemporary
Zaynulobiddin al-Husayni. The names of musicians such as Yusuf Mawdudi Dutori
from Herat who worked under the pseudonym “Dutori” in the 16th and 17th centuries
have been preserved in sources. The current national dutor performance has its own
distinctive styles. There are 4 main dutor schools, which are in the Andijan, Tashkent,
MODERN EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Выпуск журнала №-26
Часть–7_ Май –2025
249
Samarkand and Khorezm regions. The dutor strings are strung from nylon (or other
polymer threads). Wooden or bone frets arranged in a chromatic order are glued to the
handle. On the basis of the dutor instrument (in accordance with Uzbek folk
instruments), various types of dutor of different sizes were developed: dutorbass, dutor-
double bass. In the mid-1930s, a group of music masters (V. Romanchenko, A.
Kevkhoyans, S. Didenko) V. Andreyev, relying on his work experience, began to adapt
the instruments (torlichertma) to the modern level of performance requirements based
on the principle of 12-step equal temperament, that is, to modernize them.
The main goal of modernization was to create multi-voice ensembles and
orchestral groups. At that time, A. Petrosyans had the idea of creating a family of
instruments. " Based on the dutor tenor, the dutor family was created, consisting of
dutor prima, dutor secunda, dutor alto, dutor bass and dutor contrabass.
The initial dutors were made only from natural materials. Their strings were
made of silk, and the div was made of light but durable wood. Over time, as a result
of the development of technologies, metal-stringed types of dutors appeared, which
expanded its sound capabilities.
On the territory of Uzbekistan, dutor performance is widely developed mainly
in such regions as Khorezm, Bukhara, Samarkand, the Fergana Valley and
Kashkadarya. Each region has its own style of dutor performance, which reflects the
rich history and cultural uniqueness of the performing art.
Dutor is a national musical instrument in Uzbekistan, played not only by men,
but also by women. Especially in the Bukhara and Khorezm schools, the art of playing
the dutor is widespread among women. For many years, it has been a favorite
instrument of women, often accompanying lyrical songs, epics and dances. Famous
artists have also emerged among dutor performers. In particular, Munojot Yulchiyeva
and other hafiz performed classical songs to the sounds of the dutor, introducing our
national music to the world.
Although the dutor has a simple appearance, its sound is very elegant and
attractive. The instrument consists of the following main parts:
MODERN EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Выпуск журнала №-26
Часть–7_ Май –2025
250
The resonator div is the most important part of the dutor, which amplifies the
sound. It is often made of mulberry, walnut, or other hard wood.
The handle (bore) is long and thin, in which the frets (marked places for notes)
are placed.
Strings - originally made of silk thread, now metal strings are widely used.
Plucking method - the dutor is a plucked instrument, which is played mainly
with the fingers. Sometimes a nail or a special mediator (mizrab) can be used.
The melodies played on the dutor are divided into different styles: Maqom and
classical music - the dutor is one of the important instruments in the Fergana-Tashkent,
Bukhara-Samarkand maqom schools.
Folk songs and melodies - especially lyrical and epic works - are performed to
the accompaniment of the dutor.
Dance melodies - in the regions of Khorezm and Bukhara, dances are
performed to the accompaniment of the dutor, for example, "Andijan Polka" or
"Tanavor".
SUMMARY
Today, the dutor is widely used in national music ensembles and folklore
groups. The art of playing the dutor is taught in music schools and conservatories.
Modern performers are trying out various experimental genres and new styles through
the dutor. The dutor is recognized as a national instrument not only in Uzbekistan, but
also throughout the world, and is widely performed at various international music
festivals. The dutor is one of the most widespread and ancient Uzbek national
instruments, occupying a special place in folk music and classical art. Due to its rich
history, unique structure and wide musical possibilities, it has become an integral part
of our national culture. Even today, dutor performance is developing and merging with
modern art.
REFERENCES
1. Karomatov F., O‘zbek xalq cholg‘ulari, Toshkent: Fan, 1972.
2. Mirzaev A., O‘zbek musiqasi tarixi, Toshkent: G‘afur G‘ulom nomidagi nashriyot,
1998.
MODERN EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Выпуск журнала №-26
Часть–7_ Май –2025
251
3. Sagdullayev A., O‘zbek xalq cholg‘ulari va ularning rivojlanish tarixi, Toshkent:
Ma’naviyat, 2005.
4. Karomatov F., Saidjonov M., Maqomot: Tarix va nazariya, Toshkent: O‘zFA, 1995.
5. Otamurodov S., O‘zbek mumtoz musiqasi va maqom san’ati, Toshkent: Sharq, 2010.