P rominent t ajik f igures of the

Qosimov, Muhammadjon

Tajik actor Muhammadjon Qosimov was born into a family of

bookbinders in the village of Rishton on May 9, 1907. His limited edu-

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Iraj Bashiri

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

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cation began in traditional schools and was continued in technical

schools in Quqand and Tashkent. He joined the CPSU in 1948.

In 1929, he established a drama core in Quqand. From 1931 to the

end of his life, he was an actor at the Lahuti State Academy of Dramatic

Arts. Because he did not have a professional education, Qosimov

learned from the experiences of his peers. During the first six years of

his career, he created the following characters: Arslon and Sarimsoq in

Du Komunist (Two Communists) and Otash Mizanam (I Shall Set On

Fire), by K. Yashin; Haidarbek in Dukhtari Chupon (The Shepherd's

Daughter), by Validov, and others.

Qosimov's success, however, is mostly in the creation of major dra-

matic and tragic characters. The characters he creates achieve sublime

humane levels. They include Rahimbek in Kaltadoroni Surkh (The Red

Club Wielders), by S. Ulughzoda, 1941; Otello and Lir in Otello

(Othello) and Shoh Lir (King Lear), by W. Shakespeare, 1939, 1957;

Hokimi Shahr in Revizor (The Inspector), by N. Gogol', 1946, 1952;

and many others.

He was similarly successful in creating comic characters: Karimov

in Shodiona (Merry Making), by M. Zokirov, 1950; Ta'rifkhujaev in

Ta'rifkhujaev by A. Dehoti and B. Rahimzoda, 1953; and others.

Qosimov participated in a number of productions in the Russian

Theater Named After Mayakovskii. These include Soati Burji Kreml

(The Kremlin Tower Clock) and Odami Miltiqdor (Man with a Rifle), by

N. Pogodin, as well as Soli Faromushnashavandai 1919 (The Unfor-

gettable Year of 1919), by V. Vishnevskii, in which he played the role

of Stalin.

Qosimov began playing in motion pictures in 1942. There, too, he

created a number of unforgettable roles, including, Hofiz in Pisari Toji-

kiston (The Son of Tajikistan, 1942); Ismoilbek in Zastava dar Kuhho

(Mountain Frontier Post, 1953); Azimshoh in Dokhunda (Dakhunda,

1956); and many others.

Qosimov also tried his hand at directing motion pictures. His contri-

butions in this regard include Dar Otash (In the Fire), by S. Ulughzoda;

Ovozi Amerika (Voice of America), by B. Lavreniev; and others.

Qosimov became a People's Artist of the Soviet Union in 1941. He

was one of the most influential figures in Tajik theater. He received two

Orders of Lenin, two Orders of the Red Banner of Labor, and the

Honorary Order of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of Tajikistan.

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