Rayhon Gʻaniyeva , better known simply as Rayhon, is an Uzbek singer, songwriter and film actress.
Background
Rayhon Gʻaniyeva was born on September 16, 1978, in Tashkent. Her mother, Tamara Shokirova, was a highly acclaimed Uzbek actress who received the title Meritorious Artist of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic. Her father, Otabek Gʻaniyev, was also a well-known actor in Uzbekistan and other former Soviet countries.
Career
She rose to prominence in Uzbekistan with her song "Baxtli boʻlaman" ("I"ll Be Happy") in 2002. Rayhon has recorded songs both in Uzbek and Russian. Rayhon came to prominence within the Uzbek film industry with her leading role in the 2007 Uzbek drama film Kechir (Forgive Maine) which she co-wrote and directed.
She received positive reviews for her performance in the film both from movie critics and fans.
However, she has not made any major film appearance since. On November 16, 2012, Rayhon got married to Yigitali Mamajonov, a 22-year-old student of the Tashkent Theatrical Institute.
Mamajonov subsequently appeared in several of Rayhon"s music videos. On May 5, 2014, Rayhon gave birth to twin boys.
On January 9, 2015, Uzbek media reported that Rayhon and Mamajonov had ended their relationship after only two years of marriage.
Rayhon learned to play the piano at a children"s music school in Tashkent. She graduated from the Uzbek State Institute of World Languages in Tashkent with a degree in English philology. When Rayhon was a third-year student, she organized a duo that was called Xayol (Thought).
In 2000, she started her career as a solo singer.
Rayhon gained widespread recognition in Uzbekistan with her song "Baxtli boʻlaman" from her eponymous album which was released in 2002. Later that year she gave her first concert to a large audience at the Alisher Navoiy Opera and Ballet Theater in Tashkent.
Rayhon came to prominence within the Uzbek film industry with her leading role in the 2007 Uzbek drama film Kechir (Forgive Maine) which she co-wrote and directed. In the film, she portrayed the difficult life of a successful singer.
Rayhon also wrote and sang the eponymous title song that was included in the soundtrack of the film.
She received positive reviews for her performance in the film both from movie critics and fans. However, she has not made any major film appearance since.