P rominent t ajik f igures of the

Qosimov, Karim
Tajik composer Karim Qosimov was born in Leninabad on April 10,
1938.
Qosimov graduated from the Leninabad Music School in 1962, and
from the Faculty of Language and Literature of the Dushanbe Peda-
gogical Institute. From 1962 to 1972, he acted at the Aini Academy
Theater for Opera and Ballet. Between 1973 and 1975, he was a singer
at the Drama and Music Theater of the district of Nov. Then, from 1975
to 1978, he was a singer for the concert group at the Aini Academy
Theater for Opera and Ballet. In 1978, he joined the Tajikistan Com-
mittee for Radio and Television.
Qosimov became a People's Artist of Tajikistan in 1977. He also re-
ceived the Honorary Order of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of
Tajikistan.
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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