"I would like to express my opinion on the discussions surrounding the inscription 'The first mugham professor in the East' written on the tombstone monument of the late khananda Arif Babayev. In 1996, Arif teacher became the first person to receive the title of professor in the specialty of khananda in the East. He is the first artist to be awarded the title of professor specifically in the specialty of khananda (mugham performance)."
These words were voiced by Prof. Dr. Zaur Aliyev.
He particularly noted that by receiving this title in 1996, Arif teacher played an important role in the official recognition of mugham performance as an academic science:
"This is considered the first official step documented according to academic standards.
From this perspective, the phrase written on the tombstone monument is completely correct. There is no point in creating a debate around it.
It should be noted that the first professor title in the East was given to Uzeyir Hajibeyov in 1940 for his scientific research work titled 'Fundamentals of Azerbaijani Folk Music'. Uzeyir bey was the very first music professor.
Also, in 1940, Bulbul was awarded the title of professor in the field of music science and vocal performance.
Said Rustamov is also considered one of the first professors in the teaching of folk music as a tar player and composer.
Ramiz Zohrabov, who conducted academic-level research on the theoretical foundations of mugham, is regarded as one of the first musicologists to be awarded the title of professor in this direction.
Other mugham masters in the East — also active in Uzbekistan and Iran — have been active. However, their names have gone down in history not as professors but rather more as 'masters' (ustads)."./publika.az