Thursday, 17 October 2024

Zulya Kamalova

Colin BROOKS (Bundoora – Minister for Development Victoria, Minister for Precincts, Minister for Creative Industries) (10:12): I rise to mourn the passing of Zulya Kamalova, a much-loved musician and director of the multicultural music organisation the Boîte. Zulya was born in the Tatarstan–Udmurtia region of Central Russia and began performing Russian and Tartar songs from a very early age. Her powerful voice would go on to be one of her greatest strengths and would take her all across the globe.

Zulya was a composer, creative director, collaborator, facilitator, and an incredible force in music. As a solo performer and with her band, the Children of the Underground, she released 10 critically acclaimed albums, earning ARIA nominations and taking out the ARIA for best world music album in 1997. Zulya joined the Boîte in 2022, where she worked to champion countless musicians and promote artists from many different communities. Zulya left an indelible mark on Australia’s folk and world music landscapes and on the careers of a community of musicians and artists. Ten years ago in an interview Zulya was asked, ‘What would you do to make a difference in the world?’ She said:

If I could I would make everyone less greedy and self-centered. Alas, that’s not possible. So I make music and art, which hopefully helps.

It does help, and in Zulya’s life it changed the world for many. Zulya packed a lot into her 55 years, and her work lives on as an example of how we can use our strengths and talents to lift others up. I extend my deepest sympathies to Zulya’s family, to her partner Andrew and daughter Zifa and to her many friends.