Rashid Behbudov (Azerbaijani: Rəşid Məcid oğlu Behbudov, رشید بهبوداوف; December 14, 1915 – June 9, 1989) was an Azerbaijani singer and actor. He sang in Azerbaijani, Russian, Persian, Turkish, Hindi, Armenian, Urdu and Bengali among other languages.
Rashid Behbudov was born in Tiflis Tbilisi, Georgia in 1915. His father, Majid Behbudov was a singer as well. In 1938-1944, Rashid worked at Yerevan State Philharmonia and Opera House, and in 1945, upon the invitation of Tofig Guliyev, Rashid Behbudov moved to Baku. In the same year, he was assigned the main role of Asgar in the film "Arshin Mal Alan" The Cloth Peddler, based on a play by Uzeyir Hajibeyov. His role in this film combined with his vocal skills brought him fame throughout Azerbaijan.
In a short time, Behbudov became also prominent Azerbaijani pop singer. His combination of vocal masterpieces ranged from classical performances to lyrical songs. Behbudov's rare vocal talent gave him opportunity to travel beyond the "Iron Curtain" of the Soviet Union, and as a singer he toured with concert performances in several countries of the world, including Iran, Turkey, China, India, Japan, Argentina, and many other countries in Europe, Asia and Latin America.
In 1966, he created the State Song Theater, which still carries his name, and became its soloist and artistic manager.
Read more about Rashid Behbudov: The Cloth Peddler (Arshin Mal Alan), Iran and Turkey, South America, India, Official Honors, Honours and Awards, Song Theater, Memory