Salikh Z. Saidashev (1900-1954) is a founder of Tatar professional music. He was born in Kazan and got education in the Kazan Musical College. During the civil war he proved to be a remarkable organizer of the amateur music activities, being in the ranks of the Red Army. In 1922 he began composing music.

S. Saidashev was the first Tatar composer, who used forms of orchestra, choir, and instrumental ensemble in his music. He enriched the pentatonic scale with individual features and brought forms of Russian and West-European music to Tatar folklore. In 1934-1938 Saidashev studied in Moscow conservatoire. Having returned to Kazan he composed music for new productions of the Tatar Academic Theatre and lyrical songs. He also performed as a conductor. Salikh Saidashev’s output proved the possibility of using symphonic and other forms in Tatar professional music. These innovations, which enriched the Tatar national art, were passionately accepted by the audience.

In 1928-1954 S. Saidashev lived in the outhouse 13, Gorky Street. Now there is a memorial inscription on the building.