On August 3, Dimash Qudaibergen, producer, composer, singer, and author of numerous musical works, presented his first original song in Turkish, “Yazgı”, to listeners around the world.

The music was composed by Dimash himself, while the lyrics were written by Orken Abdirov. As with all of Dimash’s songs, the musical production of the composition was led by the artist himself. Arranger Renat Aubakirov and sound producer Yerlan Bekchurin also contributed to the project, while the guitar part was performed by Abilmansur Qudaibergen.

This deeply romantic composition tells the story of two people in love whose destinies, though bound beneath the same sky, unfold in different worlds, where a single step becomes a distance as long as a lifetime.

The DimashNews editorial team spoke with the lyricist behind the new song, Orken Abdirov – a young Kazakh scholar, writer, and Candidate of Philological Sciences

You became the author of Dimash’s first song in Turkish. How did your journey with the Turkish language begin?

I first started studying Turkish at L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University under the guidance of my teacher, Kuanyshbek. That was where I became familiar with the alphabet and took my first steps toward mastering the language. Later, thanks to the university’s summer language program, I had the opportunity to travel to Turkey and continue improving my skills in a natural linguistic environment.

My interest in the Turkish language and culture had emerged even earlier. Turkish films and songs, which are extremely popular in Kazakhstan and far beyond Turkey’s borders, played a significant role in bringing me closer to the language and its rich literary tradition.

How did you receive the offer to write the lyrics for this song? Did Dimash suggest a specific theme, or did he leave the choice entirely up to you? Had the music already been completed at that point?

In the middle of July, I received an offer to write the lyrics for Dimash’s Turkish-language ballad. I immediately understood the responsibility that came with such a task. The melody had already been completed, and my role was to fill it with words.

The music itself already carried a sense of sadness, tenderness, and longing, so it felt as though the words were being born from the melody itself.

After finishing the lyrics, I spent a long time reflecting on the title. Eventually, I proposed two options: “Yazgı” (“Destiny”) and “Ayrı Mevsim” (“Different Seasons”). In the end, “Yazgı” was chosen.

That is how this ghazal about two lovers destined never to be together came into being.

A ghazal is a form of lyrical poetry common among the peoples of the Middle East and Central Asia, traditionally composed of rhyming couplets.

My long-standing familiarity with Turkish literature, especially Turkish poetry, proved immensely helpful during the writing process. Finding words that could both convey emotions accurately and blend naturally with the melody was not an easy task.

By then, I already had experience writing both lyrics and music for well-known Kazakh performers. I have also written and performed my own songs, as well as songs in both Kazakh and Turkish. Therefore, I had a fairly clear understanding of what the final result should be, and that experience greatly helped me while working on this composition.

The song turned out to be very romantic and slightly melancholic. What inspired such tender and sorrowful lyrics? What story lies behind the song?

Throughout all times, there have been people who, despite loving each other deeply, were never meant to be together. Their hearts are drawn to one another, but destiny has other plans. They are like spring and autumn on the same tree, like two sets of footprints beneath the same sky that are never meant to cross.

I believe that the fate of such love stories, those that have a beginning but no continuation, became the main source of inspiration for “Yazgı”.

Kazakh and Turkish are closely related languages, but each has its own unique characteristics. Did you help Dimash with the linguistic aspects of the song?

Yes, if that can be called guidance, I did offer a few recommendations. We discussed certain aspects of Turkish pronunciation and the natural sound of particular words.

However, I believe it would be more accurate to describe the process not as one person advising another, but as a collaborative effort aimed at ensuring that the song would sound as natural and authentic as possible to Turkish listeners.

How long have you been writing poetry? Did your background in philology contribute to the development of your talent?

I have been fascinated by poetry since childhood. I submitted my first poems to the republican newspaper Ulan, and that was when poetry became an inseparable part of my life.

Although I have always had the ability to write poetry, I never chose it as my profession. Nevertheless, my philological education helped me gain a deeper understanding of language, appreciate the weight and beauty of words, and recognize the harmony between sound and meaning.

For that reason, I believe that philology played an important role in refining my literary sensibilities and allowing me to approach creative work from an entirely new perspective.

Listen to the song on global streaming platforms:

dimash.lnk.to/yazgi