Osh Academic Musical and Dramatic Theater named after Babur

The dramatic circle in Osh first emerged in 1914. Its organizers were Beknazar Nazarov and Jurakhan-aka Zainabiddinov. In 1918, a concert group composed of Uzbek teachers was formed for the first time. One of the organizers was Nazirhon Kamalov. These were harsh years in the struggle against the Basmachis. Young artists traveled with concerts to villages, conducted propaganda and mass work, and fought with the weapon of art against the enemies of the new government.

The Osh troupe, which later formed the Uzbek Theater named after Kirov, was already referred to as the People's Theater. In the summer of 1919, the artists traveled with an armed detachment to Uzgen with their first performance "The Healer" from Turkestan. From that time, the theater began its chronology.

Based on the strengthened Osh Drama Theater, the Osh Musical Drama Theater was organized in 1929.

With each passing year, it gained more sympathy from the population. In 1930, the artistic collective was transformed into the Uzbek National Theater. The first two years had to be worked without women, as the traditions of the past prevailed. For this reason, male actors often played female roles.

The first female actress was Tazhikhan Khasanova, a graduate of an orphanage. Following her were R. Muminova, the daughter of a miner, then L. Moidova, Alieva, L. Usmanova, and others. From this moment, the theater became professional. Its collective staged a dozen classical and modern plays: "Gulsara," "Farhad and Shirin" by A. Navoi, "Arshin Mal-Alan" by U. Gadjibekov, "Two Communists," "Comrades" by K. Yashen, "Love Yarrow" by K. Trenev, "Border Guards" by Bil-Belotserkovsky...

The productions of Russian classics ("The Government Inspector" by Gogol), Soviet dramaturgy ("Mutiny" by Furmanov), and the Uzbek opera "Buran" (music by Ashrafi and Vasilenko) were of great significance.

A significant event in the spiritual life of the southerners was the decade of Kyrgyz art held in Moscow in May 1939. More than seventy participants were awarded orders and medals. T. Khasanova and R. Muminova were awarded the high title of Honored Artists of the Republic.

After the Great Patriotic War, the Uzbek Drama Theater began its third stage. The repertoire was supplemented with new plays on contemporary themes. Significant work was done to prepare young artists. The creative connections of the artists of the Osh region with other republics became closer.

During the existence of the theater, significant work has been done in staging performances and nurturing generations of actors.

The play "Faragat" by I. Akramov and "Oftobkhon" by K. Yashen were staged, focusing on women with progressive views and high moral qualities, about our glorious contemporaries. The theater achieved notable creative success with the performances of "Othello" by W. Shakespeare and "In the Name of the Revolution" by M. Shatrov. For the role of V.I. Lenin in the performance "In the Name of the Revolution," X. Khasanova was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the Republic. The productions of the plays "Ravshan and Zulhumor" by K. Yashen, "Daughter of Ganga" by R. Tagore, and others were landmark events.

The performance "Ravshan and Zulhumor" by K. Yashen (the theater created its own version of the play, and the famous playwright K. Yashen congratulated the collective on their great creative success) is an adaptation of the novel by Indian playwright Prem Chand "Nirmala," marking the emergence of the fascinating playwright and comedian Abduganij Abdudgafurov, whose plays are now performed far beyond the region, as well as the staging of the great tragedy "Othello" by W. Shakespeare and the emergence of actor B. Yuldashev.

The theater toured twice—in 1934 and 1984—in Leningrad. The troupe, led by one of the founders Ahmadjan Tukhtamatov, was received in 1934 by the first secretary of the Leningrad city party committee S. Kirov. And half a century later, the Osh artists performed successfully before the audience of the city on the Neva.

In the 70s and 80s, the theater took second and third places three times in the All-Union competition of theatrical and entertainment institutions of the USSR, receiving honorary certificates from the Ministry of Culture of the USSR and the Supreme Councils of the Uzbek and Kyrgyz SSRs.

During its existence, the collective has staged more than 600 performances, repeatedly returning to the most popular works of Kyrgyz, Russian, Uzbek, Tajik, and world classics, as well as contemporary dramaturgy from around the world. And how can one not remember Faina Litvinskaya—a director of great stature, a highly professional figure in the theater, and simply a very likable person.

During this time, a whole galaxy of talented actors, directors, producers, and choreographers has emerged: 10 People's Artists, 30 Honored Artists, and 6 Honored Figures of Culture of the Republic. Many have been awarded orders and medals, honorary certificates from the USSR, and the Kyrgyz, Tajik, and Uzbek republics.

The theater has repeatedly become a winner of international theater festivals in Bishkek, Tashkent, Andijan, Almaty, St. Petersburg, and Turkey.

Considering the significant contribution to the development of theatrical art in the Kyrgyz Republic, in 2004, the Osh Uzbek Musical and Dramatic Theater named after Babur was granted academic status.

In 2018, in connection with the 90th anniversary of the writer Chinghiz Aitmatov, based on his work "The Spotted Dog Running Along the Edge of the Sea," the play "Star of Hope" was staged at the theater by the director from Uzbekistan Tojiboy Isroilov.

In 2018, the theater will celebrate its centenary anniversary.

Phone: +996 (3222) 5-57-85, 2-18-84
Osh, Lenin Street, 326