P rominent t ajik f igures of the

Muhammadjonov, Ato

Tajik actor Ato Saimuiddinovich Muhammadjonov was born in

Dushanbe to a Bukharan family of workers on September 2, 1940.

After completing high school in 1958, Muhammadjonov joined the

Lahuti State Theater for the Dramatic Arts in Dushanbe, performing

mostly comic roles.

Muhammadjonov's first role was in Mirsaid Mirshakar's spectacle,

Toshbek va Gulqurbon (Toshbek and Gulqurbon). Later on, he played

Suhrab in Ghani Abdullo's Rustam va Suhrob (Rustam and Suhrab). His

other roles include Asad Makhsum in J. Ikromi's Dilhoi Suzon (Burning

Hearts).

Muhammadjonov was a born actor. He recognized the various

aspects of the roles he was given and provided appropriate devices for

portraying them on the stage.

Later on, he moved to the movie world and played such major

figures as Adham created by S. Ulugzoda, Claudius by W. Shakespeare,

and Afrasiyob in Dostoni Siovosh (The Story of Siyavosh), and Mirzo in

Darvishi Lang (The Lame Dervish). Altogether, he played in more than

30 films.

Muhammadjonov recited Persian poetry very well.

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Iraj Bashiri

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

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Muhammadjonov became a People's Artist of Tajikistan in 1981,

and became a Laureate of the Soviet State in 1984. He also received the

Order of Dusti (Friendship) of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Muhammadjonov died in Istarafshan on September 9, 2002.