P rominent t ajik f igures of the

Saidov, Mirkarim

Tajik actor and director Mirkarim Saidov was born into a farming

family in Kazakhstan in 1910.

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Iraj Bashiri

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

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Saidov is one of the major contributors to professional Tajik Theater.

Between 1927 and 1930, he studied at the Uzbek Education Theater in

Moscow, then, for a time, he worked at the State Uzbeki Theater of

Bukhara. In 1931, he became an actor at the Tajikistan State Theater

(now, the Lahuti State Academy of Dramatic Arts). Here be became a

famous creator of dramatic and heroic roles. These roles include, Arslon

and Sarimsoq in Du Komunist (Two Communists) and Otash Mizanem

(We Shall Set Fire To), by K. Yashin; Mehtar in Muboriza (Struggle),

by A. Usmonov; Shoh Zohir in Shohnoma (Book of Kings), by M.

Jonon; Vose' in Vose' (Vose'), by Gh. Abdullo; and others.

Saidov trained a number of young actors, especially during 1939 and

1940, when he was the literary leader of the first Studio Theater Named

After Lahuti.

In addition, Saidov is also a poet and a satirist. His satires directed at

the clergy, drunkenness, and ambition are poignant. Neither is he soft

on plagiarists, ignorant poets, and psychopaths. His poetry is simple and

resembles folkloric literature.

Saidov became a People's Artist of Tajikistan in 1939. He died in

Dushanbe on September 2, 1940.