The national anthem of Turkmenistan is called the National Anthem of Independent Neutral Turkmenistan. The lyrics were originally written by the first president of Turkmenistan, Saparmurat Niyazov (also known as Turkmenbashi, Turkmen: Türkmenbaşy/Түркменбашы). Niyazov died on 21 December 2006, and two years after his death the reference to Turkmenbashi in the chorus was replaced with the people, among other minor changes to the lyrics. The text of the anthem is given here in its present form, followed by the original text from the Niyazov period. The National Anthem is played at the start of Radio and Television broadcasts at 6:55 am and played again when radio and television stations sign-off.