People's Artist of the Kyrgyz SSR Anvar Kuttubaeva. Part - 1

Anvar Kuttubaeva (1915 -1977)

In 1926, the first Kyrgyz theatrical studio was opened. Sixteen men and four women were accepted. Among the first artists of the troupe was Anvar Kuttubaeva. She created many memorable characters on the Kyrgyz stage. In 1937, she was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the Republic, and in 1939 - the title of People's Artist of the Kyrgyz SSR and was awarded the Order of Lenin. She became the first People's Artist of the republic.

During her 36-year acting career, she performed over a hundred roles. Recognizing her immense contribution to the development of Kyrgyz theatrical art, the state awarded her the Orders of Lenin, the Red Banner of Labor, two Orders of the Badge of Honor, four medals, and repeatedly honored her with Certificates of Honor and Diplomas of both union and republican significance.

Anvar Kuttubaeva was born on November 22, 1915, in the city of Pishpek (now Bishkek) in the Semirechye region. Her father was a civil servant, working as a translator for the newspaper "Erkin-Too," while she did not remember her mother. She was raised by her stepmother. In her father's house, Anvar was the most unhappy and deprived child.

The stepmother tormented her and burdened her with work. The girl did not know games and never laughed.

Her first joy came unexpectedly when her older brother took her to a theater performance. With her eyes glued to the stage in admiration, nine-year-old Anvar sat still until the end of the show. On stage, she saw another world. The passion of struggle and the joy of victory stirred the child's heart. In 1924, drama circles were organized, accepting capable and talented young men and women. When she returned home, Anvar found her secret. She invented games. When everyone left the house, she took her father's chapan off the wall and put on a fur hat. Pillows, towels, scarves, blankets - everything was used. Anvar alternately transformed into a valiant jigit, his old mother, or a beauty for whom brave men fought. The performance took place at a rapid pace. She had to put everything away before her stepmother returned.

The beaten girl transformed. Smiling, excited, brave, she did not walk during those moments; she flew.

"An eleven-year-old girl must know how to do everything around the house," - this rule was unbreakable in the family. Anvar sewed and washed, smeared the clay floor, and cooked lunch.

One day, the stepmother beat her severely. She hit Anvar on the head with iron tongs until neighbors rushed in at the child's screams. They took the girl to the hospital and reported the incident to the women's department of the district committee. Anvar did not return home from the hospital. She was sent to study at the Frunze Pedagogical College. Here she joined the drama circle. The leader of the circle, noticing the girl's abilities, entrusted her with leading roles in K. Djantoshev's play "Karachach." The play was performed on the stage of the first theatrical studio. The audience liked Karachach - a fragile, agile girl, almost a child. Her songs, light dances, and natural behavior on stage attracted the attention of theater leaders. Anvar Kuttubaeva played the role of Karachach. Soon after this debut, she was accepted into the studio. At first, she participated in crowd scenes. A little later, she was entrusted with the role of Batma in B. Kenesariyev's play "Toburchak." Batma is a Komsomol member calling the collective farmers of the newly created collective farm to live anew.

For Anvar, the main thing in working on the role was authenticity. Lacking acting skills and knowledge of the psychology of character work, she relied more on her knowledge of folk life and character. As early as 1928, in her first leading role (as Nastya in A. Ostrovsky's play "Not a Penny to My Name, Suddenly a Gold Coin"), Anvar recalled her life, the grievances and sorrows she had endured from her hated stepmother.

Imagining herself in Nastya's place, Anvar wept bitterly during the performance - she felt so sorry for herself, so clearly did she envision all of Nastya's troubles. From that moment on, the young actress began to work hard. Endless searches began.

Studying the performances of more experienced artists proved particularly beneficial for her.

By playing the roles of Nastya and Batma, she declared herself as a talented actress with a great future. The roles she played immediately elevated Anvar to one of the leading positions in the theater. This marked the beginning of her great life in art. She was entrusted with role after role.

The next creative success for Anvar was the character of Karachach in the eponymous drama by K. Djantoshev. The actress managed to show the audience the difficult situation of Kyrgyz girls in the past.

Until 1935, the Kyrgyz theater only staged dramas, but the question of creating a musical theater was emerging. Among the artists were already singers, poets, and improvisers. To test their voices and record folk music and songs on gramophone records, many artists (A. Maldybaev, A. Botaliev, K. Eshimbekov, A. Kuttubaeva, and others) traveled to Moscow, where they gave a series of concerts. Many, especially Anvar, enjoyed success. The actress achieved high mastery in performing folk songs "I Remember," "Let's Go Gather Cotton," "To My Beloved," and others.

The songs of the beloved soloist, recorded on gramophone records, are still remembered by listeners today.

Highly appreciating A. Kuttubaeva's contributions to concert and stage performance, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Kyrgyz SSR awarded her the title of Honored Artist and repeatedly honored her with Certificates of Honor.

Women of Kyrgyzstan