P rominent t ajik f igures of the

Vohidov, Mahmud

Tajik actor and movie director Mahmud Vohidov was born into a

family of farmers of the industrial center of Shaidon in Asht province

on October 10, 1939.

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Iraj Bashiri

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

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Vohidov graduated from the Moscow State Institute of Drama in

1960. In 1961, he worked for a year as an actor at the Leninabad Music

and Dramatic Theater. During that same year, he also became involved

in the Lahuti State Academy of Dramatic Arts in Dushanbe. His pierc-

ing voice and his exact portrayal of the characters' emotional, psycho-

logical and emotional states impressed his audiences the most. The fol-

lowing are some of the roles he undertook: Mitia in Kambaghali Aib

Nist (Poverty is not a Shame), by A. Ostrovskii, 1960; Durandarte in

Shah Gavazn (King Buck), by K. Gotstsi, 1960; Neznomov in Gu-

nahkoroni Bigunoh (Guiltless Sinners), by A. Ostrovskii, 1962 and

1974; Kassio in Otello (Othello), and Romeo in Romeo va Julietta (Ro-

meo and Juliet), by W. Shakespeare, 1963; Beyli in Hurriat (Freedom),

by Gh. Abdullo, 1964); Motzart in Foji'ahoi Khurd (Small Calamities),

by A. Pushkin, 1966; Azizi in Duil (The Duel), by Boijiev, 1967;

Bizhan in Bizhan va Manizha ( Bizhan and Manizheh), by H. Khushki-

nobi, 1970); Ezop in Ezup (Ezup), by G. Figeyredu, 1971; Rudaki in

Rudaki (Rudaki), by S. Ulughzoda, 1973; Mambet in Qullaii Fudziyama

(Ascent of Mount Fuji), by Ch. Aitmatov and Gh. Muhammadjonov,

1974; Usmon Khoja in Garnizon Taslim Namishavad (The Garrison

Does not Surrender), by J. Ikromi, 1974; Khizrkhon in Faryodi 'Ishq

(The Lament of Love), by Gh. Abdullo, 1975; Solomakhin in Mashvarat

(Consultation), by A. Gelman, 1976; and Yasan in Medeyai Evripid

(Media of Euripides, 1977); and others.

Vohidov is the founder of the one-man theater in Tajikistan. Under

this format, he created a number of performances like Guftugu bo Khud

(Talking to Oneself), based on the Rubaiyyot (Quatrains), by Omar

Khayyam, 1967; Vatan va Farzandon (Country and Offspring, 1969);

'Ishqi Zindagi (Zest for Life, 1971); and others.

Vohidov's directorial dexterity is apparent in the spectacle Allomai

Adham va Digaron (Alloma Adham and Others), by S. Ulughzoda,

1976. He also played in Zumrad (Zumrad) in 1961, and Hassan in Has-

sani Arrobakash (Hassan the Cartman, 1965); Dostoni Rustam (The

Story of Rustam, 1971); and Sitorai dar Torikiston (A Star in Dark-

house, 1972).

Vohidov became a People's Artist of Tajikistan in 1973. He won the

Rudaki State Prize in 1972, the Badge of Honor, as well as almost all

the accolades awarded by the Republic of Tajikistan.

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