The song (Motherland is Better), often referred to as "Xudayar Təsnifi" (Khudayar’s Tasnif), is a deeply symbolic Azerbaijani musical work that bridges the legacy of a legendary mugham master, Alibaba Mammadov , with the modern heroism of a fallen soldier, Khudayar Yusifzade . The Musical Roots: Alibaba Mammadov
The song was originally composed by Alibaba Mammadov , a prominent Azerbaijani singer, composer, and People's Artist. Born in 1929, Mammadov was a master of mugham and the author of over 100 songs and tasnifs (rhythmic vocal sections of mugham).
"Vətən yaxşıdır" was one of his many compositions based on classical Azerbaijani poetry, specifically the ghazals of . The lyrics express a profound, bittersweet devotion to one's homeland, reflecting the spiritual depth characteristic of the Azerbaijani national khanende school . The Hero’s Voice: Khudayar Yusifzade
The song is now played at national events and memorial services as a tribute to the soldiers of the 44-day war.
Yusifzade, who had studied at the BulBul Art School in Barda , possessed a professional-grade voice. The video of him singing the lines "Motherland is better... even if it's a desert, it's better than a garden abroad" went viral across social media, turning the song into an anthem of resilience and sacrifice. Cultural Significance: "Khudayar Təsnifi"
Alibaba Mammadov, who lived to see the song's resurgence before his death in 2022, expressed his pride and sorrow that his composition became the "last song" of a national hero.
Various artists, including Eyyub Yaqubov , have since released professional covers to keep the "Khudayar Təsnifi" alive in the public consciousness.
The song gained a new, legendary status during the . Khudayar Yusifzade , a 22-year-old warrant officer in the Azerbaijani Army, was filmed by his fellow soldiers singing "Vətən yaxşıdır" in a trenches-style performance just days before he was martyred in the battle for Zangilan.